aggravation

Tulsa construction had reached its final evolutionary form: pure chaos with a reflective vest.

Every morning, Stan tried to leave his driveway like a normal human being, only to discover that overnight, while he slept peacefully, a new set of orange cones had multiplied like rabbits with a union contract. By 8:15 AM, he was still inching toward the highway, whispering the same prayer he’d whispered every day that week: “Lord… just get me to work. I don’t even have to be on time. Just… get me there.”

Getting home was worse. Much worse. The morning commute was a battle. The evening commute was a pilgrimage. He’d leave work at 5:00 PM and somehow arrive home at 7:42 PM, spiritually aged by at least three decades. His Apple Watch thought he’d taken up stress-based cardio.

At one point, stuck behind a backhoe that seemed to be digging a hole for fun, he muttered: “Can I work from home like in 2020?” No one answered. But the cones seemed to nod sympathetically.

Going to the store had become a joke. One of those jokes that’s funny until you realize you’re the punchline. Stan tried to order groceries online, but even delivery had changed: “A road construction fee has been added to your order.” A construction fee for groceries in Tulsa? He stared at the screen as if it had personally betrayed him.

Sunday morning didn’t offer much relief. Getting to church required the faith of Abraham, the patience of Job, and the navigation skills of a medieval cartographer. He prayed to get there. He prayed to find parking. He prayed to find the exit. He prayed to find his way home.

By the time he finally sat in the pew, he was spiritually warmed up. Not by worship, but by surviving three detours, one lane closure, and a construction worker who waved him forward with the confidence of someone who absolutely did not know where he was sending him. When the pastor said, “Let’s bow our heads,” Stan whispered, “Already did. Several times. On the way here.”

Every day, the thought crept in: “Maybe I should move… just until this is done.” But he knew the truth. By the time the construction finished, he’d be too emotionally invested in the struggle. Too bonded with the cones. Too familiar with the detours. Besides, Tulsa construction never really ends. It just… relocates.

¹⁶Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.

^17-18God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, “They’re mine, all mine. They’ll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you’ll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn’t, between serving God and not serving him.” Mal. 3:16-18 (MSG)

A beautiful portion of scripture. Some have written that God treasures those who wholeheartedly live for Him so much it’s as if they are gems unto him. He values them.

Several years ago, I worked with a man who collected precious stones. He had a complete shop set up in his basement where he would spend hours sanding, shaping, and polishing those gems. They might have been rough when he started, but by the time he finished with them, they were beautiful.

Some of you may be good people. You do your best to help others with the resources you have. You show love to your neighbors. You serve God in whatever manner as He directs. Yet, privately, only a few see it, there is another side of you. One that you wouldn’t want your pastor to know of.

God loves you so much and can see all that you do. He knows it doesn’t take much effort to get you to show love to another in need. But He does know about that other side. I believe God puts people and allows situations in your life that irritate you. Give you a reason to go to that point where the light of God fades.

I struggled for years to understand why He would do that. Then, recently, I received wisdom and understanding of the matter. He puts those individuals in your life to act as sandpaper and to grind the rough edges of your soul away. If you yield to the process, you will become even more precious to God and pure. Thank Him for loving you that much!

^6-7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. 1 Pt. 1:6-7 (MSG)

Brady, Mark A.

Blogs connecting you to God, and other content from my mind.

Construction Town

Gems

¹⁶Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.

16 Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.

¹⁶Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.