October in Virginia is the time of year when our yards need attention: aerating; seeding; putting that beautiful concoction down that smells like the stockyards in Ft. Worth. This makes for beautiful green grass. Hopefully, it will take root this year. Some homes just seem to effortlessly have perfect yards with green grass, flowers that bloom seasonally, and entrances that are manicured. We have struggled for years trying to make this happen. For some reason I am hopeful this year. This week we had a lawn service come in and help. I don’t know if it is the aroma of the fertilizer or just the good job they did, but I think there will be success. There is only one problem. We have a leak in our front yard and we can’t find the source. We have turned off the water in different parts of the house, called city waterworks and checked each day for answers to this puzzle. Does this mean that all the lawn work will have been in vain and we will now have to tear up half the yard? Oh, the challenges of being a homeowner!

Leaks are pesky problems. You cannot take care of what you see on the outside until you find the source of the problem inside. Flat tires, heart surgeons, and groups that deal with national security can’t move forward if they cannot find the leak. When someone leaks a confidence, like a new pregnancy, that is to be kept a secret, it doesn’t build mountains of trust. Leaks can turn into bigger problems.

Leaks can expose what is going on inside our hearts and lives, whether good or bad. When we see these areas it is important to take notice. Sometimes leaks are addressed by working harder or talking more. They can surface in different ways: anger; unforgivness; depression; criticizing others to make us feel better; caring more about what others say than what God says about us. Questions sometimes help. Am I reaching out to others or running to my own safe places? Are my actions one of compassion and grace or am I quick to judge? Am I defensive and protective with words that go round and round or is my heart open to hear words that are helpful? It is impossible to get to the source without The Lord taking us. This is when His redemptive work takes place. Redemption begins to take place when love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control are leaking out of us. When the Lord deals with the source of the leaks he will transform thoughts, words, and actions.

While The Lord is addressing the leaks in my life, I am thankful He is also gracious, compassionate and patient. Leaks and cracks can allow light to come out of me in a new way. Humility and dependence on God are areas that won’t hurt any of us!

The leak in our yard will eventually be solved and right now we don’t know if it will be easy or hard. Leaks will continue to appear in my life because we all have them. My prayer is that there won’t need to be an archeological dig over the green grass of my life, but an easy exposure to the areas that need repairing and fertilizing.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world- your mind and heart- put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” Matthew 5:8 (The Message)