Are you aware that the 143 miles of Interstate 30 between Little Rock, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas has been under construction for my entire adulthood? Having lived on some stretch of this highway for all but two years of my adult life, I challenge anyone to prove me wrong on this. Seriously! I should have invested in orange barrels long ago! Will there ever be an end to the construction?
Speaking of “Construction”, this past Christmas I received a card with a photo on it of Ruth and Billy Graham’s gravestones. Christmas 2018 was their first one together in the presence of Jesus. Etched at the bottom of Ruth’s stone are these words: “End of Construction, Thank you for your patience.” I love this! Ruth Graham always had a marvelous way with words. I have admired this godly woman all my life, and she was quick to admit that she was a work in progress. As we all are, Sister!
If one was to peruse the daily obituaries, one would think we have a lot of “practically perfect” folks who have passed from this earth. Seriously?! My husband has been instructed (on more than one occasion) not to write my obituary to say things like, ‘She never spoke an unkind word, she was the perfect wife and mother, she served the Lord and others every. single. day. of her life, blah, blah, blah’. I promised him I would come back to haunt him if he did!
On the other hand, if I were to write my own obituary it would include something like Ruth Graham had etched on her gravestone. Thank you for your patience! *Gracias for putting up with me and loving me in spite of my many flaws, mistakes and waaaay too many words through the years. Thank you to those who saw my potential…and trusted that God would keep working on my rough edges.
*Merci to those who knew me in my 20’s and 30’s when I thought I knew so much, and was prideful about my ‘good works and morals’. *Asante for your patience…those who knew me in my 40’s. Life was really a blur as I raised three children and watched my Daddy fade away from Alzheimer’s. Thank you to my husband whose support is never failing! Way to hang-in-there to my children, as you have a mom who made a lot of mistakes. Thank you to friends, family and co-workers for their understanding when I fell short of their expectations of me.
THIS IS WHAT I KNOW….
1. GRACE AND FORGIVENESS ABOUNDS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
“If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 NLT
“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10 NLT
Hallelujah, we are ALL a work in progress! We can ALL be forgiven, cleansed and robed in His righteousness…not our righteousness – because without Him we are so not righteous. His grace and forgiveness makes being “under construction” a good thing! Grace we cannot earn and forgiveness we do not deserve…what a Savior!
2. HE IS PATIENTLY “CONSTRUCTING” US.
“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 HCSB
“It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ…He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.” 2 Corin. 1:21-22 NLT
In short, the “End of Construction” has not yet come for me or you. We will never arrive at perfection this side of heaven. Our purpose in life is to Love God and Love others. This leaves no room for hate, judgment or pride. It means looking to Jesus as the perfect example…letting Him do the changing in us. And He will.
Until the end of my construction…I thank you for your patience.
*Thank you…in Spanish, French and Swahili.
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