“Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.”
Bertolt Brecht

Once a year, in mid-July, I am removed from my usual role in Construction Services here at Messiah Village and join the Maintenance crew for a week.  We head down to Mount Joy Country Homes to perform preventative maintenance on the cottages, reuniting with old friends and meeting some new ones as well.  We perform maintenance on the HVAC units, clean dryer lines and gutters and follow an extensive checklist to help the cottages run efficiently and smoothly.  As I reflect on the week gone by I am reminded of the maintenance that is so often required in my own life.

Home ownership can be a grueling task; the honey-do list never seems to end while the projects can become costly and time-consuming.  Between yardwork, urgent repairs and the “that would look cool” list I can see that, well, my work here on earth is not nearly complete.  It almost makes me wish I could retire at Messiah or Mount Joy Country Homes and have that all taken care of by someone else.  But enough of the propoganda…….

Then I reflect on myself as a person; the spiritual, relational and physical aspects of life.  If I did nothing to build (or maintain) my relationships with my friends and family I would soon find myself quite lonely and in need of repair; “no man is an island.”  And now that the beloved 20’s have come and gone I notice that my body requires healthier fuel and exercise to achieve the desired outcome.

I guess the point of my ranting is to remind myself, and perhaps even you, to take the time to evaluate your current “maintenance needs.”  A checklist, even some goals, might help your life run more efficiently and, Lord-willing, a little more enjoyable.