Pothole Progress

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

While walking across a busy street, I stepped around a pothole to avoid tripping up. Not any old pothole, but one that stood out because of it's location, in the white area of the painted crosswalk--but more so because of it's shape. Of course, being four days before Valentine's Day, God's timely inspiration is perfect. 

As we experience our own sanctification process in the Lord, (learning, applying and growing) for our lives, He never promises us perfection while still on this earth. Sometimes we get a little beat up and run over. What He does promise us is a continued presence of the Spirit, walking with us side by side through our trampled hearts and heavy sorrows that break up our surface. Some of our wounds remain, but when we let God work this out, our own "potholes" begin to take on His shape--His purpose. 


Sending out a "work order" of prayer, the Holy Spirit fills us up with Hope, smoothing out that which left broken, just might puncture those who are joined with us in our daily commutes.


 Don't allow your own  "potholes" to cause someone else to swerve off an eternal course, or yourself, to veer off into a ditch of bitterness. Allow God to refill you with his healing grace and shape your rough edges into a heart of testimony. 


Lord, may my own rough roads show your handiwork and your grace-filled love fill up my "potholes" so that others can walk beside me, sharing in Your glory. Amen.