Monday, January 10, 2011

Roadblocks


My daughter called me this morning.
That was not unusual.
But it had iced and snowed last night and I knew she was driving so I answered quickly.
She had frustration in her voice and my thoughts immediately go to 'She's had an accident!'
No accident.
Just roadblocks.
People were driving very slowly because of the ice.
Too slow, really.
And now there was construction on the highway taking her to her first day of school as a student at OSU.
She was frustrated at being late on the first day.
Thus, the call.

Her situation made me think of this blog.
I seemed to hit a lot of roadblocks last year.
I took many detours.
I was so frustrated, at one point I gave up .
But...I'm back.

Roadblocks are interesting.
If I try to run through them, I quickly find that progress will stop in quite an abrupt manner.
Stopping and waiting for all the work on the road to finish would take years of idling.
But taking the detour leads to places I normally don't or wouldn't go.

Some lead to roads that are narrow, rutted, potholed, dusty and down right dangerous.
Some bring me near shops and businesses I had never noticed before.
Other detours lead through quiet neighborhoods that make me wonder who lives in the old, well maintained houses that look so peaceful.
But they all lead me in the direction of my original destination on the other side of the roadblock.

The roadblocks, all of them, have lessons for me to learn.
They build patience.
They build knowledge.
They build wisdom.
They build opportunity.
They get me out of my comfort zone and allow me to grow into peace in many different areas.

And the coolest thing about roadblocks for me?
It gives me precious time with my Father.

So I'm back writing this blog until the next roadblock detours me around areas of my life's road that needs construction.
Then I'll be back again.
Or, if the Lord wills, I will write about the detours I am on, or have taken.

Thank you for journeying with me.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for your love and encouragement.

Isn't the road of life exciting?!?

Oh...and my daughter made it to school fine.
Found a great parking place.
She had plenty of time to find her class.
And we had a wonderful, happy chat while in the middle of her construction zone.

Gotta love roadblocks!

1 Peter 2:4-8 (The Message)
Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. The Scriptures provide precedent:

Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone in the place of honor.
Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation
will never have cause to regret it.
To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of...