I blame my cousin. She introduced me to this show and now I am hooked. It’s called Restored, and it centers around an architectural preservationist who goes around restoring old homes to the way they were intended to look.

I am fascinated with the show. First of all, by the knowledge the host has of all the various architectural periods and then by his willingness, once given the go-ahead by the owners, to start ripping out what doesn’t belong and restoring the home to its original glory. 

It is amazing what people will do to their houses all in the name of modernization. The mishmash of styles can create a cacophony for the eyes. But Brett Waterman makes no bones about what does and doesn’t belong and what needs to be done, then does his best to direct the decisions of the owners. 

And if they listen to him? Beautiful homes. Appropriate landscaping. Gorgeous woodwork. Stunning features. A home that now stands out because it has been restored to its original glory.

God is in the restoration business as well and we are his subjects. Sin and questionable decisions have marred our lives and broken our souls and spirit. God promises to restore those if we give our lives to him.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” I Peter 5:10.

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” Psalm 23:3.

“'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’declares the Lord” Jeremiah 30:17.

But we must give God permission to go in and strip away the unnecessary, the social “modernizations,” the personal choices, and restore us to wholeness. We must relinquish our ownership and turn the decisions over to Him. Only then will our intended beauty reappear.