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

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

    Blessings to you - Marsha

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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. Hi Mary -

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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

Because He Lives, I Can Move

I’m currently in one of those places where you lay out all the options and then you make the best decision. It seems, however, like none of the choices are fair or attractive. I know God will help me in my situation because I desire His guidance. I’m clinging to His Word which promises that ALL things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28. I heard a great teaching this week about seeking God’s will and all the freedom that surrender brings. We can know that God is bringing about a victory if we trust Him with each and every decision. The speaker illustrated his point with a famous painting. The painting depicts a look of despair on the chess player’s face. He’s playing Satan and his soul is at stake. It looks like Satan is winning. Checkmate! When Paul Morphy saw this painting back in the 1800’s, he set up a chess board and aligned the pieces to reflect the painting. Being a world champion, he studied the board. His conclusi

Humor for the Bride and Groom

A young couple decided to wed.  As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive.  Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice.   "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage."  His father replied, "Don't you love this girl?"   "Oh yes, very much," he said," but you see, I have very smelly feet, and I'm afraid that my fiancĂ© will be put off by them."  "No problem," said dad, "all you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible, and always wear socks, even to bed."   Well, to him this seemed a workable solution. The bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to take her problem up with her mom."  Mom," she said, "When I wake up in the morning my breath is truly awful."  "Honey," her mother consoled, "everyone has

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street?”   I replied that I’ve order coffee once in that place with a turke