Soon after we
bought our house almost twenty years ago I vaguely
remember pressure-washing our driveway. There is no recollection of doing the
chore ever since. In meanwhile, day
after day, year after year, imperceptible to us, layer upon layer of dirt, mold
and crud accumulated, permeating the concrete, becoming one with it. We got so accustomed to the dark gray and
green, we assumed that’s what the driveways are supposed to look like!
Inspired by commemoration of work during the Labor Day weekend, we decided to actually get some much neglected stuff done. So, we dragged the pressure
washer out, connected it to the garden hose, and started cleaning. The difference was startling. We could use the laser sharp stream to write love messages, play tick-tack-toe as if our driveway was a giant black board. Bit by
bit, work and play, we reclaimed the dirty concrete which became almost unrecognizable. We
took turns, feeling strangely empowered by the process.
Suddenly I noticed
a metal plate embedded near the doorstep.
I never knew there was a metal plate embedded in front of our house! As I
cleaned it, the words became obvious:
PULTE
Master Builder
The small oval
plate was embedded in the fresh concrete by the builder of the house. It was
both a reminder and a guarantee of superior quality. Over the years, however, it has been covered
up with dirt and grime, practically invisible, stepped on and ignored not only
by all who came to our house but by us as well! I was stunned. The self-evident
truth of the existence of the builder became obliterated and forgotten. We still enjoyed the house well-built, but without a thought of its maker. The oval seal left behind near the front door served as a
humble reminder that there was – there is – a Master Builder indeed.
...for He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For
every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Hebrews 3:3-4
... for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10
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