Sinkholes

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In what turned out to be a short half hour window in an afternoon of thunderstorms, we visited the Umpherston Sinkhole.  This is just one of the natural attractions in Mt Gambier, South Australia.  It is an old volcanic area and its limestone foundation makes for some fascinating caves, sinkholes and the beautiful Blue Lake.This sinkhole has been made into an amazing garden with curtains of ivy flowing down from the edges.  There are seats to sit and enjoy its beauty and even a barbecue area behind the ivy.

The garden filled me with gratitude for the man who had originally thought to do something beautiful with what was just an old cave on his farm before the roof caved in, and thanks too for the people who have kept it looking good to share with the public.

I couldn't help thinking about it in the context of our lives which sometimes have sinkholes when stuff happens and life caves in bringing failure, disaster or disappointments.  We have a choice in those times to become bitter or better.  Even to pretend they didn't happen if you are ashamed of your failure.  But our sinkholes of life can become great experiences from which we can draw wisdom, understanding and growth in grace which can become a blessing to others.

If you are in a slump (or a deep hole) right now, have a think about how you can, with Jesus' help, make your sinkhole into a beautiful garden which can, at some future time, bring rest, strength and encouragement to others.  Or perhaps you can think about sharing your own failure at an appropriate time to encourage someone and help them up when they have fallen.  You could let them see behind your wall of ivy for not one of us is perfect and we shouldn't let people think we are.  We all need God's grace for our weaknesses, and bringing them to His light removes our shame.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you know the sinkholes in my life and the challenges that I face when I consider the things that brought them about.  Please help me to get your perspective and see that they can become a place of beauty and rest for the benefit of others in the future. Amen