There’s a hole in the middle of the street, and I keep hitting it.  Of course, it is pothole season, but this is not so much a pothole as a mini sinkhole.  You may have hit it driving south on Bellevue half way between the Bella Tori and the church.  You can’t miss the thud.

So, I hit the sinkhole on the way to church, get to church and get busy, and not think about it until I hit it again the next time I am out. I don’t know how many thuds it took before I remembered to steer clear of the mini-sinkhole.  The car will probably need a frontend alignment pretty soon.

We hit potholes and sinkholes on our journeys through life, and sometimes it takes way too many thuds before we learn to steer clear of them.

Someone asks a question and we think they’re looking for an answer. Thud.  All they wanted was affirmation, a little attention. Hold the information or the explanation.

Another person uses that line she always uses, you know, that irritating thing he always says. Thud. We let them get under our skin again.

A new idea comes up.  Really, a pretty good idea, but something we had never thought of doing.  Thud. We begin to pick it is a part with our “here’s why it will never work” comments.

We people pleasers love to please people, and we’re pretty sure that if we tried just a little harder we could please even the most difficult people. Thud.  When will we ever learn?

There’s no archaeological record of potholes or sinkholes along the Apian Way in First Century Rome, but I wonder if the Apostle Paul was aware of some when he wrote his friends in Rome.  He seems to know all about those relational potholes and sinkholes, that, thud, we hit all the time.  He gives good advice on how to steer clear of them:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Heading  south toward the church on Bellevue after you pass the Belle Tori.  Steer clear of the mini-sinkhole.  You’ll hear the thud if you don’t. 

And those potholes and sinkholes on the journey through life? I need to learn to steer clear of them.

See you Sunday