Skip to main content

Road Repairs!



My town is anything but fun to drive through these days. Construction crews are everywhere working to widen the main two-lane road. Road signs that say “this way” with arrows are strewn along the path and you have to drive your car between narrow orange cones for miles. You have to take detours. What I dislike the most is waiting. If I time it just right, all that’s required is slowing down and waiting a few minutes for the pilot car to lead me to the other side. But all too often, I end up in long lines while traffic moves the opposite way and my car stands still in line with other impatient drivers for over 20 minutes! It makes it difficult to time travelling to appointments. Last week I was 15 minutes late for my Life Group, a small cell group from church, and they start promptly!

I know that in the months ahead, our road will be repaired. It will be safer, more attractive and a dream to drive on and waiting in long lines of traffic will be a lost memory. But in the meantime, I’m inconvenienced!

Isn’t it like this in our spiritual lives, too? I want to cross quickly from one place to the next but hindrances happen. Detours are required and I realize that the narrow path is hard. I want my way. I want my plan and have to slow down and accept God’s rerouting whether I like it or not. I want to go “here” and He says “No, go there!” I know that in the end, His purpose prevails and someday I will say “Thank you, Lord.” But all too often, I’m impatient for the process of His promises to come to pass.

“You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my Name, and you will have abundant joy.” John 16:24. This was the first scripture I read this morning and it’s been pulsating in my heart throughout the day reminding me that nothing and no one can steal my joy. Regardless of life’s deviations, I can call on the Name of Jesus and He will give me joy to do anything and be anywhere I need to be! I’ve been thinking about this all day, especially when I sat still in today's road repairs!



This post links to On Your Heart Tuesdays. What's on your heart?

Comments

  1. Mevely317October 4, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Gosh, this struck a chord!
    Thank you for putting into words what I often struggle to identify!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marsha YoungOctober 4, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Indeed - the joy of the Lord is our strength. Good for you!

    Blessings to you - Marsha

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim @ Homesteader's HeartOctober 5, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    I wish there really was an EASY button to push sometimes but then how would we grow in the Lord? There is a reason that path is so narrow, it's not for the faint of heart. LOL!
    This was a beautiful post my friend but I do hope your road gets fixed quickly!
    HUGS
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  4. lioneagleOctober 5, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Hi Mary -

    Thank you. This massaged my heart.
    Precious joy from GOD is delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just Be RealOctober 7, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    Appreciate this post. It is true, we learn through our struggles. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  6. SharonOctober 7, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    This was so good, Mary. Really a timely message for me.

    There's this intersection in our city, next to a church. There's a sign, with two street names. One turns into the church, the other into a dump area. One says "Purpose Way" and the other says "Rocky Road." Kinda sums it up, huh?!

    So, yes - trying to have patience and faith through the detours that God brings to my life. There's a PURPOSE in it all.

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Venomous Intruder

It’s the middle of rattlesnake season here on the ranch.  The local news anchor confirmed it.   I’ve seen two already.    While driving along our dirt road yesterday, I mistook a virulent enemy for a branch. I backed up the car, looked again and noticed the branch shifted revealing a rattle at its end. At one of our road association meetings in the barn, Shelby stood up and shouted, “ BOB !” to my next door neighbor.  He’s our vice president and the one all eyes were on as he gave a presentation in the middle of the room.  I sensed fear in the way she yelled his name.  I learned after the meeting that Shelby called out to him like that because she saw a rattler slither in the barn door where she and I sat.  Bob yielded to the interruption and quietly dispatched the enemy.  Ten minutes later, this tough guy was back to center stage falling right back in step with the business at hand.   Bob is my new best friend. ...
42 comments
Read more

Hearts for the Kingdom Author Interview

When I finished reading Hearts for the Kingdom last week, I contacted the author, Cho Larson.   We talked about the book and he graciously agreed to be my guest today.  Together we hope to inspire you in your journey of faith to pursue God with a heart that is alive and beating for the Kingdom of God. Mary:  Cho, when I finished your book, I felt loved and very close to my Savior. Cho:  I’m overwhelmed at the encouraging response to it. Mary:  How long did it take to write this book? Cho:  God works in mysterious ways. As I’ve observed God’s hand at work, it’s easy for me to picture Him as the Great Conductor, orchestrating everything in perfect harmony. Hearts for the Kingdom wasn’t my original plan, but after I sent another manuscript I was working on to my editor, while waiting for him to edit, the need became clear for a foundational book. This book required about six months to complete. Mary: as an author, what is the me...
32 comments
Read more

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
23 comments
Read more