07-08-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 8, 2025
So I’m driving down Louetta the other day, and the car in front of me is dragging part of the plastic underbody panel. This wasn’t the only part of the car with some problems, as there was a great deal of duct tape holding the bumper and the back quarter panel in place. As we pulled away from a red light, the plastic underneath fell off, and I had to swerve to miss it. A few moments later, another small piece from the side of the car fell off. I was glad when I was able to get to the lefthand turn lane and get off of Louetta. I don’t know what else might have fallen off. 

Like so many things, this got me to thinking (sort of dangerous) about broken people, which includes all of us. But how many of us have chosen to ignore our brokenness, and not only are our broken pieces falling off, but they are causing others on the same path to swerve and dodge? We all have parts of our lives that are in need of mending, yet how many of us are simply too busy to even acknowledge the wounds we are carrying? We pretend they are not really impacting us, when in fact, they are dragging us down. Don’t tell me that car in front of me was getting its best gas mileage with a chunk of plastic underneath and part of the side panel flapping in the wind. Of course, like a lot of us, I don’t believe gas mileage was the first thing on the mind of the person driving that car. It’s okay to work on yourself. In fact, it is not only okay, but might just be the best thing for you and everyone around you. You are worthy of such care!

As you love me, O Gracious God, I pray for the capacity to not only love myself with such care and concern, but to take seriously the hurts and wounds that I carry. I believe you will help me in finding others who will help me in that ministry of healing. Amen.