I don't understand this!! We're supposed to enjoy spring and summer. We're supposed to just drink coffee and iced tea, and make homemade ice cream. Maybe go to the lake or beach and enjoy a little sunshine. But these two seasons should be relaxing and full of comfort. But not around here. Around here it seems we have road work.
A sign I truly despise on a road trip is the one that says, Road Work Ahead. And if that isn't enough, the GPS will even tell me that the road work will last for the next 8 miles. Are you kidding me? I don't have time for this.
Earlier this spring they began to "fix" the road we use quite a bit. It's a pretty busy road, actually. As we were going to church one morning during the "fix" work, I asked my husband a question he could not answer. You know how we are. 'Why are they patching this road? This isn't going to fix this road long term. When it comes to winter, the plows will just tear this right back up." Of course, he didn't know the answer. I was a bit irritated with them because even when we began to drive on the "fixed" part of the road there as a bit of a bump over each "fixed" area.
Now that same road has been worked on again. This time they have torn it completely up and have rebuilt it; which is what they should have done in the beginning. Just think of all the time and money they could have saved it they would have done it right the first time. It's a pleasure to drive on it once again. It's smooth and you can actually hear yourself talk to other passengers without raising your voice. You can hear your music on volume number 4 instead of 11.
As my irritation was turned to this new found comfort in my drive, my mind went to pondering on a few things...
I've got some rough patches in my road, my life. There's a few places that God is having a hard time navigating around and he's not fond of having to listen to my voice with the volume up to 11. You know what I'm talking about?
Let me tell you about my prayer time, or lack thereof. Have you ever prayed and you open you eyes and see the dirty dishes or the towels that are sitting on the couch and still need to be folded? Yeah, and immediately, you get up and start folding the towels in the middle of your conversation with God. Because, of course, you can pray anywhere. And God listens to us no matter what we are doing. That way you don't miss you time with God and still can get all the housework done before the husband comes out on his break. What? Did you say something Lord? Sorry, I got busy with this housework.
Now let me tell you about by daily Bible reading, study time and meditation. I have such a beautiful yard. Oh yes, and I have bright yellow finches that come to eat at the feeder. And hummingbirds that feed at the beautiful hummingbird feeder that looks like it needs to be refilled. I better to that now before it gets too hot out today. I don't need to be out in the sunshine and get dehydrated. Oh, let me mark my place here. I'll be right back in no time to get this done. Then getting this done ends up not getting done at all because there were weeds to be pulled and flowers to be dead headed, etc...
You see God is still working on the road he's built into my life. Getting my attention is like having to maneuver around the pot holes I've let grow bigger and bigger. Having a quiet moment to hear the music of my meditation is non-existent because I've let the curbs that protect my time with him crumble and fall into nonexistence.
I'm under construction. One thing God loves is road work. It means that I'm improving the pathway into my heart. It means that I'm taking time to work on those things that he's revealed through his word and preaching which need improvements. Bad attitudes that have been allowed to grow like weeds in the cracks of my heart. Broken relationships that God wants to mend. A work of forgiveness that will straighten the road out for an easier access to my heart.
THIS! This construction must occur and reoccur as needed throughout my walk with God if I want to grow and influence my world. Lord, don't stop working on me. Keep me close so you'll always know what to work on next. I know it can't all be done in a day, so help me to have patience with myself. Help me to accept the delays and slower speeds. Help me to recognize and appreciate what's already been done to improve my life. And help me to be patient as you work on the pathway to my heart.
