Repair

Quite a few years ago, I wrote a story using my favorite word, Crosses.  I shared an experience I had while driving along the curvy roads of northern Maryland, my previous home, on a beautiful Spring Day.  While taking in all the beauty around me that I usually take for granted, I suddenly noticed an old barn in a field full of overgrown weeds, just standing alone, seemingly forgotten.  It was definitely in need of repair, noticing the roof was partially torn off and the siding worn and dilapidated.  It had been exposed for too long to the outside events of storms, blazing hot sun and other damaging elements.  It was obvious this building was tired.

But I witnessed something else that day where, I believe, to which Jesus drew my eyes.   Where the roof had been damaged now left a more important sign, a cross still exposed in the wood for all who noticed.  That cross inspired me, but that’s where I thought the story ended.  However, fast forward to now.  A good friend who remembered reading that story told me that same roof has now been repaired.  My first reaction was sadness that my cross of inspiration had now been covered with new wood.  As I gazed longer at the picture she sent me, and shared below, of the repaired barn, I suddenly had a more comforting thought.  Isn’t Jesus always working on you and me, making repairs, even restoring us, in our times of brokenness and sinful choices?  Like this old barn, we are also exposed to so much of the outside elements in our lives that, over time, leaves its worn marks.  Thankfully, Jesus sees and loves us as we are, weathered, yes, sometimes broken, our structure in need of propping up, and needing repairs, maybe a little revival to ourselves that we thought was forgotten or lost.

So, my story didn’t end where I thought.  My worn barn with the cross in the roof wasn’t lost after all.  And your story is still being written,  just always being repaired and restored by Jesus’ own hands and His Cross that saved us.   Our lives will never NOT be in need of repair, in one way or another, my friends.  We just need to recognize and graciously receive His gift of repairing and restoring us from the inside out.

Where do you need repair in your life right now?  And, most importantly, are you willing to allow Jesus to be your contractor?

“Your people shall rebuild the ancient ruins; the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; ‘Repairer of the breach’, they shall call you, ‘Restorer of ruined dwellings.’”  Isaiah 58:12