Snowed in and glad there's no place to go

We have been iced then snowed in for 4 days, and I’m honestly a little disappointed to see this hibernation period come to an end. While some struggled after Day 2 or Day 3, I settled into the embrace of the escape a little bit deeper.

Even now in Day 5, as the snow disappears as quickly as it came, I’m sipping a decaf Almond Joy Creamered coffee, my Volcano candle from Anthropologie burning nearby (the best scented candle there is I think) and apart from a quick run to the post office and grocery store today, could easily do it all over again.

Unplanned and forced upon us – it required us to slow down, stop, and rest. And the beauty of it was the fact that all those close to us were required to do the same – family, friends, co-workers, bosses, leaders. Each one of us exiled, at least for a few days, to our own private worlds.

Peaceful. Productive. Simple. Restful. Energizing. Sweet. Home.

For me, the interruption to our daily lives came right on time. Now the challenge remains to hold on to the lessons learned from this week. Sometimes, it’s really ok to just settle down, ignore the busy-ness, spend time with God, play games with family, and relax. Rest. No one knows better than Him how badly we need it. It’s really all God asks of us. Draw near. Be still. Know.

Keeping Our Priorities Straight

Guest Blogger: Scott Allen

This is an actual picture of the actual windshield of my son’s car yesterday. He’s fine. Thank God! It was a really freak incident and he handled it amazingly well. Debbie and I had been praying over him off and on all day. We witnessed an accident early in the morning that served as a “prayer cue” to cover our children in prayer – especially their vehicles and safety.

Yesterday afternoon his hood came unlatched while he was driving, came back and smashed his windshield. There were no injuries and no accidents. Just a smashed windshield, a very thankful family and a faithful God who daily makes his wisdom available to anyone who will tune in to receive it.

Take this opportunity to cover yourself and your family in prayer. Make a commitment to listen to wisdom when it comes and keep your priorities straight. You will never be sorry for following the goodness and mercy of God.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord :
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."

God's Take on Lawns

Do we think this is what God intended?

Imagine the conversation The Creator might have with St. Francis on the subject of lawns:

God: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there in the Midwest? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles.

St. Francis: It’s the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers “weeds” and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

God: Grass? But it’s so boring! It’s not colorful. It doesn’t attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It’s temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

St. Francis: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

God: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.

St. Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it – sometimes twice a week.

God: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?

St. Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

St. Francis: No, Sir. Just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

God: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

St. Francis: Yes, Sir.

God: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

St. Francis: You aren’t going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water is so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

God: What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It’s a natural circle of life.

St. Francis: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and have them hauled away.

God: No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and keep the soil moist and loose?

St. Francis: After throwing away your leaves, they go out and buys something they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

God: And where do they get this mulch?

St. Francis: They cut down trees and grind them up.

God: Enough! I don’t want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you’re in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

St. Catherine: Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It’s a real stupid move about . . .

God: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story.

(Taken from a Michael's Garden Center Newsletter several years ago)

No place like home

Sunday afternoons. Sigh.

Today’s Sunday in Texas is rainy, cool, damp. Perfect for staying inside after church. We have a fire going – probably the last one of the season. A football game kind of day – but it’s March. So, we make a delicious hot beverage (French press decaf coffee today), and we write or we read or we do one of those plus laundry.

I like days like this before Spring --- the yard and flower beds cannot call my attention to them yet, making me feel guilty for not doing work outside. Can’t go for a walk – not really. Not today.

I am thankful for a warm, friendly, peaceful place called Home. The place to regroup, gear up for the week, set some Monday goals. And Tuesday goals. Prepare for a trip to Tulsa Thursday for a Senior Recital for an important soon-to-be graduate. Another trip Saturday to Michigan to see parents we haven’t seen in a while. A big 21st birthday to celebrate that day too. Soon there will be packing to do, and details to finalize . . .

But for right now. Peace. Ease. Familiarity. Home.

A very very good place.