“It takes time to see how a house works.” – Isobel Crawley, Downton Abby
Delay is not something most of us welcome. We make plans because we want to go somewhere or get something done. Delay gets in the way, or does it?
We just made our final payment for what I call Phase 1 of restoring our historic home. Technically, it began in 1995 when the red slate roof was repaired, chimneys restacked, soffits repaired, and the gables painted. Then a long pause. We didn’t intend to pause for this long, but careers and other life events took priority.
I don’t say delays are a good thing, but they can, and do, serve a purpose. In our case, we have gained in three areas:
Delay Brings Clarity
As we have lived in the house, our initial plans have matured and evolved. We’ve:
- learned things about the space, its constraints, and possibilities.
- studied other projects, watched countless restoration stories both here and abroad, and visited other projects.
- read, talked, and dreamed bigger than we could at first.
As we engage with contractors, historic oversight officials, city inspectors, and the myriad of others involved, we are better informed. We know the house, have defined the non-negotiables, and can speak with confidence.
Piling Up Resources
In parallel with the clarity learning curve, this long pause allowed us to get our financial house in order. I am grateful to the Financial Peace group for providing the framework and support to do this right. This has taken time, discipline, perseverance, and a lot of self-denial. It was worth it.
There was a learning curve to this process: zero-based budgeting, saving and cash-flowing everything, and the big one: long-term investing. It is worth it.
Patience And Character
This one is ongoing! Yet delay’s byproduct is either patience or frustration. The latter is exhausting, so I am learning the former. I endeavor to look for the “what does this make possible” and let patience do its work. Scripture promises: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4. “Wanting nothing” – I like that.