Out-of-Focus Mirror

Driving on the residential streets in my neighborhood on garbage pick-up days can be difficult. The gigantic garbage bins stand at attention like an army of soldiers on duty in their well-laundered uniforms—but with one drawback: they share the narrow roadways with motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and pets with their caretakers.

As I maneuvered my zircon blue car carefully at one roundabout, I heard a thump. I stopped and checked. Nothing seemed out of place.

I headed home and parked the car.

The next day, to my consternation, I noticed the passenger side-view mirror hanging by its electrical wires from its holder. The mirror was intact.

So this was the thump I heard yesterday, I mused.

I did brush against the garbage bin. I tried to push the mirror back into its place, but it refused to fit snugly. I grabbed some clear tape and taped the mirror back in its holder.

A workman came to the house, and I pointed out the defect.

Although he was not an auto repairman, he dismantled my masterpiece job, replacing my tape with some strong blue tape. But the mirror remained ill-fitting.

We tried tirelessly to adjust the mirror so I could continue to use it safely—but only the “fog line” was visible. When a second workman came to the house, I showed him the mess. He remarked, “This has happened to my car before, and I fixed it with some crazy glue. The next time I come, I will bring some crazy glue and fix it for you.” He removed the tape, and we used some of my red tape. What an attention grabber! Our attempts and adjustments failed miserably. The mirror was useless for its designed purpose.

It only provided an unfocused view and covered the gaping hole.

Weeks later, he returned with the crazy glue, but his efforts again proved futile, and my trust in him fell to zero. I asked, “Would the inside adjuster realign the mirror so I could see clearly—as the mirror was designed to function?” He declared, “Take it to a professional.” God is the supreme, perfect Restorer. He doctors all our broken pieces.

Only when we see God can we experience focused, unobstructed views. In the fullness of time, we will see Him perfectly.

No mirror needed—for then we shall see Him face-to-face.

Pauline A. Dwyer-Kerr