POTHOLES & PATCHES

Yesterday was a rare sunny 60 degree spring day. For all of you southern folks a sunny 60 degree day in April is real rarity. The birds were singing, children were shooting hoops, lawns were receiving their first grooming of the year, couples were strolling, and others were power walking or riding bicycles. It was a beautiful day to be alive. Suddenly, I stumbled. Looking down at the road, I sought for what had caused the misstep. There were no large stones, no large tree limbs or foreign objects. I had stumbled over an asphalt patch set in the cement road.


You, who have lived in the northern half of the United States, understand the havoc the weather plays on our roads. For some reason property, income and high gas taxes cannot keep up with the yearly deterioration of Michigan’s roads. There are very few country roads, city streets, or highways that do not bear the scars of potholes and patches. This particular side street had originally been made of concrete. I have noticed, in my excursions around the neighborhood, that streets composed of concrete are much more durable than those of asphalt. I’m sure there is a great scientific explanation; however, since I am not a chemist, I can only rely on my observations. Although, composed of concrete, this street had succumbed to the ravages of winter and developed its very own set of potholes. The street department had attempted to patch the hole year after year with asphalt. Several layers of the patch material had built up over time. Because the material used to repair the pothole did not match the original material, the patch had shrunk away from the sides of the road. Every year the gap became a little wider and the pothole patch a little deeper creating an uneven surface on which a walker, oblivious to the situation could stumble or fall.

I began to reflect on life. We are created out of the finest material, formed in the image of God. Psalms 139:14 For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Over time the harshness of life takes its toll and potholes began to form. Potholes of discouragement, doubt, fear, injustices, illnesses, uncertainty, and unbelief begin to mark our lives. If they are not dealt with properly they will grow larger and cause us to stumble as we walk along. Many times we will throw in a little repair material to fill in the gap and believe it has worked until the next storm hits. Finally our lives become so pockmarked with potholes, we can no longer navigate safely down the path we have chosen. We come to the Creator and present the life He gave us repaired with our own solutions and falling apart. The Creator lovingly cleans out all the foreign material and makes us new again. Like the road, we would be spared so much grief and heartache if we would approach the Master for regular maintenance instead of throwing on a little patch here and there.

I came to Jesus weary worn and sad
He took my sins away
He took my sins away
And now His love has made my heart so glad
He took my sins away

II Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. We have this precious promise from the Lord. If your life has become ravaged by sin and wrong choices and all the remedies you’ve tried have failed, the Savior is waiting to make all things new.