Leaky Roofs

Lying in bed listening to the latest downpour outside I quickly became aware that the sound I was hearing was more than just outside. It was also pouring inside and directly on top of our bed. The torrential rains we have been experiencing over the last several weeks had taken its toll on the roof that I have been battling with over the last several years. I thought it was fixed when we installed a new rubber roof on that section of the house, but several small leaks after the roof proved me wrong. A bigger leak compounded my frustration because it came after I placed the house on the market and now ceiling tiles were ruined. There were several good rains after that repair and I felt confident that it was fixed and I replaced the damaged tiles. Fast forward two nights later when I am lying in bed listening to the latest downpour outside and inside...watching the new ceiling tiles fall to the ground because they were soaked. What was going on?!!

The problem and frustration with water is that it runs, so where the water decides to make it′s entrance isn′t necessarily its origin. This is not limited to water. It is often true with the situations we encounter in our life. The issue makes its appearance when a car cuts us off and we explode in a fit of anger or rage. We are yelling at the top of lungs and using unacceptable sign language to make sure they know how we feel. (I may be speaking from a slight bit of past experience) It may appear when we go out of our way to help our spouse or child going beyond what they asked or expected and don′t get the response we were expecting. Feeling unappreciated and thinking after all we had done, we go into a depression and sulk for days only to do it over again at the next opportunity.

We recognize that there is a problem with our reactions (or someone points it out to us), but we focus on the situation vowing not to let other drivers upset us in the car or we won′t help our children or spouse anymore. Just like the ceiling leak, our reactions often have nothing to do with the other person′s selfishness or inconsiderate actions, but everything to do with our own beliefs. Just like the leak, we must go to the source of the issue. The heart.

• Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.


• Matt 15:11 - Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.


• Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth the good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth the evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

The things we believe in our heart determines our actions and reactions; what we say and do. It is usually not a conscious belief or a belief that we want to admit. How could we possibly believe that about ourselves after all. The problem is that our actions and reactions show what we truly believe. Even if the belief isn′t true (which it rarely is), it might as well be the truth because it controls our actions and responses. At times, it may not seem like there is a relationship to the belief, but our reactions give it away. The actions of that unassuming driver, spouse or child, neighbor, or clerk just reinforced one more time the hidden belief that you′re not important or you lack value or you′re unlovable and it reveals itself in our reactions.

The good news is that if we go to the source, just like the leaky roof, and find out why the belief exists it can be fixed. When we allow Jesus to speak truth into our lives of who we are, we can erase the lies we were believing. The Word tells us...And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Let Him speak truth into your life. (Isn′t it appropriate here that Jesus was also a carpenter?) Connect with us or someone that can help you down the path to find that truth. It is our desire to see you walking in the freedom that God intended for you.

By the way, I was able to discover that the source of the leak was a seam in the rubber roof that needed to be resealed. Now that the source of leak is fixed and confirmed, I have additional work to repair the damage ceiling which is another topic in itself that we will discuss later.