Over the last several weeks, we have had a team working to renovate our youth room at church. This room was at one time the main sanctuary. Our youth inherited white walls, orange carpet and stained glass windows. Very hip, no? No.

The transformation has been radical. The slanting floor was built up in the back, tiled and surrounded by wooden rails. The main floor was relieved of its orange-ness and covered in berber carpet. Hardwood flooring now covers the stage at the front of the room. The walls are now a warm, inviting taupe.

While the work was in progress, there were stacks of ripped carpeting, broken tile and wood chips everywhere. Often I could hear the sounds of saws, hammers and loud fans from the upstairs rooms. It was an involved process, making all those changes.

I have been reading some amazing books lately that have shaken my views of life and all that entails. I'm renovating. I'm reshaping my opinions and my beliefs. I'm pulling up rotted, old, out of date coverings and refashioning my spirit.

The stained glass windows remain. Once the room was recarpeted, painted and updated, the windows brought a touch of tradition. They remind us where we came from to get to the place we are now.

I have those in my remodeled spirit as well. I intend to hold on to them, for without a reminder of where we began, we loose track of where we're going.