Don’t Tape It Up
While driving to Texas last week, I ran over a tire scrap in the middle of the lane somewhere in southern Alabama. It was at 4:00 in the morning and I didn’t want to think about anything like that at the time! So, out of sight/out of mind.
After we got home from the trip, I noticed the splash guard under the front end of the van hanging down. It was after I got home from a late night trip to the grocery store, so I immediately grabbed some duct tape and did what anyone would do: I taped it up.
Truthfully, I tend to do that in my personal life as well sometimes. Rather than address the root cause and fully communicate through the issue, I’ll briefly touch it up with some duct tape and assume everything is back to normal. That is, until the tape’s adhesion wears off.
That process, in my own life, is a way of coping. Rather than addressing the deeper issue, I’d rather brush it aside and chalk it up to “not wanting to cause any conflict”. Ultimately, I’ve realized that when this happens in my own heart, bitterness settles in and true restoration doesn’t take place.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
He told me to “Don’t tape it up yourself”.
Through this simple illustration, He reminded me that my efforts will always be that: my efforts.
Today, I am thankful that I can rely on my God to restore my heart. He, alone, will do that for me.
(Side note: I paid $40 to get it fixed at the dealership this morning. My wife was happy.)
::
Tom
August 8, 2011Thanks Dustin, we need the reminder that there are things we try to tape up while full restoration is what we need. I think I tend to “tape up” my poor habits and choices. Taping them up just prolongs the inevitable restoration that is truly needed.
Thanks!
Dustin
August 8, 2011your welcome, tom. thanks for stopping by with a comment!
Jay Cookingham
August 8, 2011I know I’m in trouble when my supply of duct tape goes below a case or two! Great reminder to deal with stuff when it happens bro’. I tend to tape up my own hurts instead of being vulnerable and transparent. Thankfully our Father helps unravel the layers of tape and heals those hurts.
Dustin
August 8, 2011yeah, duct tape is SO necessary. multiple cases are needed for sure!
i can relate, jay with what you said. thanks!
Arny
August 8, 2011Good Analogy Dustin!
I tend to tape up sin that way.
I tend to tape up “wasted time” that way.
I tend to tape up honesty with God that way.
I tend to tape up alot!
Dustin
August 8, 2011thanks arny – always appreciate you stopping by and being transparent like that. thanks for being encouraging!
Joseph
August 8, 2011Good stuff Dustin! Over the past couple of years I’ve tried hard to get away from a mindset of temporary fixes. Instead of just putting a temporary fix on things I do my best now to fix the real problem. I tried to put duck tape on my finances sometimes. That’s one area I’ve gotten better at. Growing up I saw family use temporary fixes in that area a bunch!
Dustin
August 8, 2011Thanks for the comment, Joseph. Me too (on the temp fixes)… I tend to do the sweep under the rug thing… not my finest stuff :(
Keri
August 8, 2011See, the cool thing now is that you can get duct tape in a variety of colors. I’ve even seen it used as part of home decor by a professional! I’ve definitely been guilty of duct taping conflict in my relationships. Rather than address the issue, I’ve just thrown a little duct tape on there so that the relationship would survive. But, when things got hard again, the duct tape didn’t hold up. It couldn’t withstand the brunt of another conflict. That either led to more duct tape or a complete disintegration of the relationship. :( I’m working through some layers of duct tape removal with someone right now. It’s painful. It often seems hopeless. I sometimes wonder if there is any way to fully repair the damage that’s been done. But, I’m encouraged by the fact that He does make staright the feeble bones. He is able to fully restore! And, His work always looks way better than my duct tape patching.
Dustin
August 8, 2011Love the comment, Keri. Thanks for being so honest. Duct tape is great. Strong, in fact. But will it withstand everything? Probably not…
Loren Pinilis
August 8, 2011I wish I owned stock in Duct Tape. It’s the ninth wonder of the world.
But I think that I, too, do half-hearted efforts under my own power instead of giving my best. A lot of times we just care about the outward appearances of our efforts. As long as we look OK to others, we can convince ourselves – and God’s reality is that we’re way off the mark. What a great reminder to do things in his power.
Dustin
August 8, 2011Good comment, Loren. So often we put so much stock in our outward appearance — so true!
9th wonder? LOL!
Jonathan Pearson
August 8, 2011Great analogy. Funny thing is, I had this same thing happen one time and used a zip tie to tie it back up. haha… good word man.
Dustin
August 8, 2011Zip ties are a whole ‘nother story…. I’ve gotten some good use out of those as well! :)
Jason Vana
August 8, 2011I just used duct tape to tape up the windshield washer fluid tube in my car. I didn’t want to pay 100’s of dollars to get it fixed. It’s the poor man’s solution. LOL
As far as my own life, I tend to tape up my bad choices and my laziness. I have great ideas and even strategies, but a lot of times I choose something else over doing the hard work. Thanks for this today!
Dustin
August 8, 2011yeah, on an old car I had I used duct tape to hold a headlight lamp in place because i purchased the wrong size… it worked for years. :)
kristinherdy
August 8, 2011If emotional and relational duct tape were real, I would have already bought the factory!
thanks for the reminder, Dustin
Dustin
August 8, 2011you’re welcome, kristin. thanks! :)
John
August 8, 2011My wife hates it when I try to use tape to fix our cars or other household items!
I tend to try to fix things on my own when it comes to handling temptation or other stuggles with sin. I always find, though, that the tape doesn’t last long and that soon enough the problem reappears, sometimes worse. So I need to let God bring complete restoration and renewal. Thanks Dustin,.
Dustin
August 8, 2011must be a dude thing, right? :)
thanks for sharing, john. i need this reminder as well.
Ben
August 8, 2011I used to “tape up” the issues my younger daughter had, because I would be so used to the way my oldest would react towards certain things (not as emotional).
They are 2 completely different little angels, with 2 completely different “love languages,” and I’ve since seen the error in my ways.
It’s one of those things though, if you’re going to do something, do it right the first time so you don’t spend twice the amount of time the 2nd.
Dustin
August 9, 2011i can definitely see that in parenting. each of our kids respond differently, require different levels of attention, etc. it’s important to remember that–thanks ben!
Moe
August 8, 2011You broke the minivan already? shucks!!!
I tend to tape up my wounds. Make it seem like all is well with my soul, when sometimes I am hurt and hold a grudge for a while. So in my case, it’s more like “masking” tape. :/
Dustin
August 9, 2011yeah i feel you on the grudge thing. for me, bitterness settles in. not good!
and yeah, i broke the van. definitely doghouse material. and to top it off, i spilled my coffee all over the front floor mats while at the dealership yesterday morning. BOO! (don’t worry everything was able to be cleaned :))
Dustin
August 9, 2011oh, i like that… masking tape… fitting!
Ally Garner
August 8, 2011First, thank God y’all had a great trip & arrived home safely. Can’t ask for more than that! Secondly, duct tape is AWESOME. I’m a girl, and i know that ;) Finally, beautifully said Dustin. I love this analogy on so many different levels. I always think making the quick fix will be less painful. And often it is, for a while. But only for a little while.
Also, great comment Moe! Co-signed.
Dustin
August 9, 2011thanks, ally! it certainly is only a temporary thing and one that requires much more attention to thought.
Jon
August 8, 2011I tend to tape up my feelings. Instead of really coming to God as I am–I put on a facade of what I think He expects. It’s such a horrible mindset.
Dustin
August 9, 2011thanks for sharing, jon – sounds like you are really embracing your identity more and more. more being instead of doing, right? :)
rachelle
August 8, 2011I used to use a lot of duct tape to ‘keep peace’ and cover up wounds. I’m so glad I was able to learn from that time of my life and move on.
This was a great word to read and a good reminder!
I have Hello Kitty duct tape, it adds some girly flair!
Dustin
August 9, 2011I hear you on the “keep peace” part – really, i do!
Rob Shepherd
August 8, 2011Wow. You nailed it. I tape up my excuses a lot. I feel like if they are being held together then I can worry about them another day. Great stuff.
Dustin
August 9, 2011definitely, that’s my mindset from time to time: “i’ll just deal with them tomorrow”. its just putting it off… not fixing/restoring anything.
Alex Humphrey
August 9, 2011Wow, another great post Dustin.
It reminds me of the saying, “You can’t put a band-aid on a broken arm”. The idea is the same, you can’t ignore big problems by covering them up – they’ll still be there.
And, as you said, it is God who is the true doctor, who heals and cares for us. Praise God that He is here to overcome our brokenness and replace our idols with His son, Jesus Christ.
Dustin
August 9, 2011thanks alex- always appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Cindy Holman
August 9, 2011I think we all do a “temporary fix” job – if we’re honest, on things like money, or even relationships. There’s freedom in “fixing” things for good and not having to have the costly repair jobs later.
Dustin
August 9, 2011absolutely- the repair down the road … thanks for sharing cindy
seekingpastor
August 9, 2011My tape has been stripped away lately. Didn’t feel good, but I like how it is now.
Dustin
August 10, 2011Glad you’re back Matt. Thanks for sharing.