Whether you’re looking for a little DIY project inspiration or just a bit of encouragement, this blog post from Sandi Riddling, AVP Loan Operations, is the motivational read you need in your life today.

We all go through seasons of life that can stretch us, kind of like all of 2020.  Can I get an Amen?  When we are in the midst of these seasons, we can choose to let them make us small or we can choose to thrive in the uncertainty.

It was during one of these particular seasons that I discovered a great deal about myself.  I had all of these grand ideas for home improvement projects, but questioned myself every step of the way.  Should I, could I, would I?  All of those self-evaluation questions we like to ask ourselves.

I should have started small, but no, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this.  I decided to refinish my kitchen cabinets as one of my very first DIY projects.  I consulted with a family friend, who is a contractor by trade, and he met me early one Saturday morning, at the local Lowes, to get all of the supplies I would need to complete the task.  He was even kind enough to share when I should sand and between which coats.  Seems easy enough, right?  This was a job, and a long job at that. It certainly tested my patience, but I was determined.  It took a full weekend of long days and nights, but when I made it to that finish line… I was hooked!

Since then, I have completely refinished a few walls, hung shelves, put a new backsplash in the kitchen, my son and myself refinished the counter tops, I painted over half of my house, redid shelves in my bathroom, created a pantry off my kitchen, totally switched two rooms completely around, learned the art of repurposing (as I am on a budget), bought and restrung my very own weed-eater, planted a garden, and more.  I did more than I ever thought I could.

The moral of this story is, never put God in a box or underestimate what he can do in and through you.  It reminded me that I am able, I can do hard things, and it’s all about perspective.  Will you allow yourself to become small or will you dare to thrive?  If I can do it, so can you!