Yesterday I went to my daughter's school to hear her choir sing. After the choir presentation, they had a Family Night making Gingerbread Houses. Armed with a can of frosting and a bag of mixed goodies, I created the pictured house.

I honestly did the best I could with the materials I was given. With a creation like this, I couldn't help but laugh. My wife calls my creation, "Hot Mess." Needless to say, I brought Hot Mess home for a few cameo shots before its grand exit to the trash.

Before we drove home, I thought about how Hot Mess is similar to our lives. In our lives, we are given various tools to build it into a beautiful house, but somewhere along the way, we mess stuff up - whether it's intentional or not.

In time, our lives become a 'Hot Mess' where we are left with a 'house' that is destroyed and unfit for use. Sometimes we do the best we can, but it just doesn't seem like enough. Though our lives may be shattered and torn, the Lord can see beyond the destruction, pain, and despair.

If you feel that your life is in need of repair, ask God for help. He will help you restore broken places; heal your wounds; and exchange your pain with joy and peace.

Seek the Lord...