Eureka! The Parable of the Carpet Dimple

Recently the Lord shared with me some similarities between people and carpets. Both can be walked all over repeatedly and display no signs of wear and tear. When either is placed under heavy pressure for an extended period of time, their stance goes from upright to bent down and crushed. When circumstances change and the weight removed, neither immediately snaps back to original form. Both remain misshapen, reacting as if the non-existent load is still in place.

Time alone neither heals all wounds nor removes carpet dimples. Needed is an outside source capable of generating pressure strong enough to cause the depressed fibers to stand erect. Eureka! Enter the vacuum cleaner. Repeated application of the powerful suction produced by the vacuum raises the beaten down carpet pile back up to original condition. The fibers, to weak to resist the pull of the air flow exerted by the vacuum, eventually return to an upright position.

God realizes that unlike carpeting, people have feelings and emotions.  We have the ability to think and react to situations and develop coping mechanisms for protection. When situations change, and the problems resolved, the conscious mind often recognizes the shift. However, sometime our unconscious mind keeps us stuck in the same old patterns and behaviors. God sees the damage we have incurred and sets about bringing restoration. When it comes to helping hurting people, God has His own version of the vacuum cleaner, Holy Spirit.

The love of God, applied to any individual can return them to wholeness. The difference between people and carpeting is this; we can resist the work of Holy Spirit and remain as we are. Why? As bad as things were, this lifestyle is now normal and familiar, affording a degree of comfort. Change brings the element of uncertainty. It feels safer to remain as we are, rather than risk additional disappointment.

God is patient. He continuously works to bring us back up to His standard of normalcy. When we open ourselves up to Him, healing and wholeness comes. God sends people across our path, intersecting our lives at the precise moment their giftings and abilities have the greatest positive impact. God is not in a hurry. He does not make quick fixes that yield temporary results. He moves gradually and deliberately until all the distorted aspects of our lives are straightened out. 2 Cor. 4:8 NIV states, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” One day, Eureka! We recognize that not only has our life changed, but so have we. Once again, God has come through.