Many years ago, a family experienced a little annoyance (like the kind we all face)—they had a leaky pipe in the bathroom ceiling. Drip, drip, drip, until a plumber was called, and the leak repaired. To access the broken pipe, the plumber had to cut a hole in the ceiling. As he finished his work, he instructed the family to wait several days for everything to dry before patching the hole.
But several days turned into several weeks, then months, then more than a year. Over time, the family didn’t really see the hole in the ceiling anymore. One day, a young daughter’s friend came to play, and when she went into the bathroom, she exclaimed, “Why do you have a hole in your ceiling?” As the family gathered and recounted the story, it was as if they saw the hole again for the first time.
It’s easy to grow accustomed to the way things are, and in time, problems that were once so obvious—even urgent—become invisible to us. It often takes someone else to lovingly point out the gaping holes in our lives. A trusted friend or family member, a person who truly wants the best for us, can offer a fresh perspective, can see things we can’t, and can even help us make those needed repairs. But that takes sincerity and humility from both those who give and those who receive the feedback.
The truth is we can all benefit from some repairs in our lives. Perhaps our hearts have been damaged by harsh feelings or the slow drip of unnoticed patterns of anger, impatience, or cynicism. Maybe we need to patch some holes in our relationships with forgiveness and compassion. Whatever the needed repairs, we don’t have to make them alone. We have each other, and above all, we have the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Ultimately, the Lord gives us power to heal, to turn our weaknesses into strengths, and to repair what is broken.
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October 23, 2022
Broadcast Number 4,858
The Tabernacle Choir
Orchestra at Temple Square
Conductor
Mack Wilberg
Organist
Richard Elliott
Host
Lloyd Newell
With Songs of Praise
Newel Kay Brown; Arr. Mack Wilberg
Hallelujah Chorus, from Christ on the Mount of Olives
Ludwig van Beethoven
Norwegian Rustic March, from Lyric Pieces, op. 54
Edvard Grieg; Arr. Richard Elliott
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Lewis D. Edwards; Arr. Mack Wilberg
Peace Be Mine
Mack Wilberg
Praise the Lord! His Glories Show
Robert Williams; Arr. Mack Wilberg