I wanted to buy some new sofas. Ours are at least ten years old, and the leather is all cracked and worn. I’m embarrassed every time we usher company into that room, but when I started pointing out new sofas in catalogs, Ken said, “Ours are fine! Who cares what they look like. They’re still really comfortable.”

I’m pretty sure he’s going to be saying this after another ten years have gone by, too.

Early in our marriage, this is the point in which I would have begun my cycle of: argue, whine, pout, repeat. If I could wear Ken down worse than the sofas, he’d likely buy me new ones. But I’ve learned (the hard way) that such tactics also beat my marriage into such a dry, cracked state that when I finally get the thing I’m wanting, there’s no joy in having my way.

So, I decided to get cozy on my icky sofas, and see if anything could be done to repair them. Well, Google was my friend, and led me to a lovely remedy which Ken was amenable to–being that it cost only a small fraction of the price tag on new sofas.

I was skeptical, but clicked “Place Order Here” and followed the directions in the box that showed up several days later. Here’s what came of my efforts:

Ta-da!! I think they look fantastic. Just as good as new–only better. I’m way more proud of the restored leather than I would have been of winning the battle for new sofas.

This reminds me of the way God is toward his people. He takes such pride in turning ugly, cracked, beat-up people into beautifully restored creations who showcase his faithfulness and handiwork.