This last Monday my brother-in-law Danny and I poured the concrete landing for the front steps at our house. I carefully textured the surface and rounded the edges, making sure it was just the way I wanted it. Finally satisfied with my efforts, I put away my tools and went inside, planning to finish the steps the next day.
Unfortunately, when I got up the next morning, I discovered deer had walked all over the cement! My beautiful concrete pad was a mess. I was so upset!
Thankfully, with a little elbow grease and a thin finishing layer of cement, Danny and I were able to repair the damage. This time we made sure to put barriers all around the pad to keep the pesky deer away!
Often in life things can be going along just fine, with everything just the way we want it, then something comes along and messes up our carefully laid plans. It could be sickness, divorce, the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, our own foolish mistakes. Whatever it is, we are left staring in dismay at the shattered remnants of what had been a beautiful life.
Thankfully we have a Heavenly Father who makes “everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). No matter how bad the setback or how deep your disappointment, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
This morning, if you’ve woken to find someone or something has stomped all over your dreams, don’t be discouraged. Instead, hand things over to the One who made you, the Master Craftsman, Jesus Christ. He says, “…do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
Like my concrete landing covered in deer prints, your life may seem to be a lost cause, but remember “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). There is no damage God cannot undo, no setback He cannot turn around. Give God the broken pieces of your life today. Let Him have control. Then stand back and watch, for He will make everything beautiful in His time – even you!