By: Heather Wolper
This week I’ve felt the weight of disappointment tugging like a toddler eager for my attention, standing in my shadow, tugging on the hem of my skirt and loudly demanding a response.
As my plans have unraveled, frustration has begun to rub against my heart like a wire brush on metal left to rust in the rain.
Here, my spirit aches with the irritation brought on by a rough soul sanding.
Here, I attempt to gather my scattered thoughts like the piles of dirty clothes that have accumulated on my laundry room floor, and I marvel at all the wasted moments that have filled my week.
Energy given to frustration rather than surrender.
Thoughts given to irritation rather than prayer.
Words uttered in complaint rather than praise.
Time spent wading deep in worry rather than the word.
A heart left to rust in the rain rather than taken to the safety of cover.
Here, as the washing machine rumbles and laundry beats against the dryer drum, I call out to Christ to redeem all the rusted moments, and in the space carved out between piles of laundry and scattered thoughts, I hear him whisper.
I’ve been waiting for you sweet one.
“The LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.” Isaiah 30:18
Give your moments to me.
“Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer.” Job 11:13
I am in the business of restoration.
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
I will make things new.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
I will use it all for your good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Romans 8:28-29
At the end of a week filled with discouragement and frustration, Christ has begun the beautiful, conforming work of scraping away the rust.
It is here as he scrapes and sands that I am learning to trust that, with each twist and turn on his windy road to redemption, Christ is bringing me closer to home.
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.” Exodus 15:13,17
Dear friend, I pray that you would hear his whisper today and trust him that his beautiful, conforming work is bringing you one step closer to home.