When you hear the age-old saying "sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay," you might not immediately think of home renovation. However, there's a surprising parallel between this cautionary adage and the process of demolishing and remodeling a kitchen.
Just as the temptation of sin can be enticing, the idea of a brand-new kitchen can be irresistible. You envision gleaming countertops, state-of-the-art appliances, and a layout that would make any chef envious. It's easy to get carried away with grand plans, much like how sin can lead us down a path we never intended to travel.
When you start tearing out old cabinets and ripping up flooring, you might find yourself going farther than you want to go. What began as a simple update can quickly spiral into a full-scale renovation. You might discover hidden issues like water damage or outdated wiring that need addressing. In my case, it was a simple decision to move my refrigerator to another wall that sparked a need for more cabinets, improved lighting, and a new range.
Similarly, what starts as a "small" sin can lead to a cascade of poor decisions, taking us far from our original intentions.
Kitchen remodels are notorious for exceeding budgets. And mine is no different. LOL. From unexpected structural issues to the temptation of high-end finishes, costs can quickly spiral out of control. This mirrors how sin often costs us more than we anticipate – not just in material terms, but in relationships, integrity, and peace of mind.
Keep you longer than you want to stay perfectly describes many home or kitchen renovations. What homeowners envision as a quick update can turn into weeks or months of living without a functional kitchen. I thought I could do a simple kitchen remodel in a week. Ten days tops. It’s been three weeks as I’m posting this, and we are not finished yet. Likewise, the consequences of sin can linger far longer than we expect, affecting our lives in ways we never anticipated.
A well-executed kitchen remodel can transform a home, improving functionality and adding value. Similarly, the process of recognizing, confronting, and overcoming sin can lead to personal growth and a renewed sense of purpose.
While comparing sin to kitchen demolition might seem unconventional or even flippant, there are similarities that cause one to ponder whether either is really worth it or not.
I can already tell you that with sin it is not. I’ll let you know about the kitchen.
Well yes, as a serial renovator and improver of crappy houses for 30 years I concur. The main problem often links back to the diligence of others to 'make good money' off the jobs as you go as well. We have grand visions and they are only too happy to cost them out.
They are all just doing their good jobs of course, but you start to grow weary of supporting the 7 suns of pluto and their 100 children. I remember it well. I have had a full break from 'renovating, extending and building' for one whole year now (a record for me in my life as an adult)- and on a farm apart from a broken down pump that needed replacing, its been heaven, not having all those 'creative issues' to deal with (including the build/fixers) - to say the least.
I have thought deeply about all this (really) and because I have always been in 'business' (owner operator) I can now see as I step away from it all, how the 'wheels of commerce' are more like a grinding wheel than a cart of transit!
Excellent analogy. I've been thinking of remodeling my 20 year old kitchen....maybe I should rethink this lol.