Encouragement for Those with The Falling Apart Bodies
So this is what it means to be rich, I think to myself, as the attendant takes my gift card and I pull into the Blue Cow Car Wash. The young guys give my dirty Montana car a good spray down, and then I put my car in neutral and let the magic happen.
As I roll out the other end of the wash, in my now-shiny sedan, a young man wipes out the inside of my door and tells me to have a good day.
“Thank you,” I say, the way rich people say thank you, even if this fancy wash was just a one-time treasure gifted to me by the PTO at my school. I’m not above pretending I could live this way all of the time.
Then, as I pull out, I see a guy using the free vacuum, and this is incredible: he has taken his ancient truck through the rich-people car wash, and the truck is one piece of rust from bumper to bumper. But there he is, bent over the front seat –carefully vacuuming the inside of his piece of junk.
Of course, one of my all-time favorite verses comes to mind, and you’ll know it because I’ve blogged about it 537,000 times (ish):
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV)
That truck was just the encouragement for my own heart, because there sure have been some dear ones in my life struggling with their health over the last few weeks. I’ve been lying in bed every morning praying for them and feeling a mom kind of worried.
Sad fact is that we’re all on our way to rusting out. There’s not enough high-end car wash in the world to change that.
But on the inside –well the inside is worth vacuuming. Good stuff is happening where only we and God know it. We’re learning to love, to forgive, to share, to be kind, and to persevere through hard times. He’s making us new, new, new.
Sorry about the rusting exterior, but let’s not lose heart.
Dearest Christy, I ran across your blog about a year ago while I was combing through another site and you have been fresh water to my soul! Maybe it’s because I’m a native Montanan, (I now live in AZ), but most likely it’s because we know the same Jesus!
I also am a Pastor’s wife and our church has gone through deep waters the past two years. So often in the mornings when I read your words I’m encouraged, challenged, and again filled with hope. Thank you for the faithful sharing of your heart and life!
You’re so kind, Linda. Thank you! Are you melting down there in Arizona? I left the windows open last night, and it was 60 degrees in the house when I woke up this morning. 🙂
Being a pastor’s family is a weighty job. I can imagine the challenges you’ve had. I always laugh with Matt, “It’s the people! If only the church didn’t have people in it, then it would be so much easier.” hahaha I pray the Lord will encourage your heart to stick with your people, though. They’re worth all the ups and downs.
Thanks for taking the time to write!
Christy
Melting is the right word-it officially hit 120 on Tuesday. Thank you Lird for AC and swimming pools!
I laughed at your comment about the people-my husband has said the same thing! But then last night he taught on I Thess 2:19 ” for who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
Thank you for your encouragement! Hugs to you!
Just shared with all of my friends that have “rusty” bodies – even in their young age! How encouraging! The enemy won’t find a foothold even in all that rust.
I’m laughing, because it took me a minute to figure out who Micah Basham was! Not sure when I’ll be used to your new name. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you down under!