I was scared (scared enough to cry). We were blessed with a generator but I've never used it. We are blessed with a mile-long driveway, but if it filled with snow, I didn't know how I'd get out, and if I got out would I get stuck? And then add to that my constant concern of how to get my 16 year old son out of the house. He uses a wheelchair and has to be carried like an infant. Snow and storms complicate this incredibly.
After talking with a friend I made sure I got gas for the generator. I brought the generator to the door and brought the extension cords inside just in case I needed to use them. They said I could call them and they'd talk me through it.
I admitted to my husband via text how I felt.
And do you know what happened --when I admitted that, the fear faded away. God made sure I knew I wasn't alone. My husband (who had to be gone all week) said he'd leave the job and come home if the power went out for an extended time. I received several calls from neighbors checking on me. At least two said they'd bring me a generator if I needed one. Two offered to scoop the driveway. One neighbor called to tell me school was cancelled and told me to stay home because of drifts and to keep my cell phone charged. I told one friend who called me twice that I felt so loved.
God kept me and my kids safe and I never had to take my 16 year old out into the snow.
And to top that off, a huge snowplow came down my driveway yesterday and scooped us out. Did you know angels drive snowplows? I ran outside in my chore boots and an apron (jeans and a sweater too of course) and told this angel thank you!
This post has not been what I intended it to be. See that silly sun on the upper right corner? I put that there because not only was I scared, I felt so down, frighteningly down. The fog and gray skies really affect me emotionally. One dear friend said it reminds her of a blanket -- that God is keeping her warm and cozy. So I tried to hold onto that.
And then yesterday the sun came out and I cried in joy all the way to the post office for that beautiful sun (this was before my driveway was scooped -- some other friends are letting me borrow their 4-wd truck until we can get a 4-wd vehicle for me).
Malachi 4:2 says, "But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall."
Have you ever seen baby animals play? Oh, it's joyful. That is one thing I miss about having goats. The babies were so fun to watch, so full of joy and funny. Any baby animal (even the human ones) are a delight! I felt that delight with that sun shining yesterday. And as I write this I see the sun beginning to light up the world around me. Glory, glory, glory, God is blessing us with the sun again today.
I also wanted to talk about time and letting it be your friend rather than your enemy. From pathlights.com I wrote down a quote that says, "Nature's process of healing and upbuilding is gradual, and to the impatient it seems slow."
So many mistakes in life happen because we are in a rush or we panic. We don't let God have the time He (and we) need to accomplish things in the best way possible. Really, there is no need to rush. We often are told we need to rush. We need to get things done. We need to do things when people expect them. We need to give this or give that. We need to do, do, do. But none of this rush-mentality is good for us or anyone. Jesus said, "but only a few things are necessary, really only one" (Luke 10:42).
The one thing that is necessary is reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and relationship with each other. Nothing else matters in comparison to these. Sure, the presents are fun (I LOVE giving gifts). The music is lovely. The lights are sparkly. The Christmas shows are fun to watch (I do so like the movie Elf and I like the Mrs. Miracle shows; It's a Wonderful Life, The Nativity, The Bells of St. Mary's; The Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart; Miracle on 34th Street...).
"We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:19c
That's what it is all about -- seeing fear replaced by faith; the concern of neighbors; letting time be our friend rather than our enemy; the joy of babies and Christmas gifts and movies and music -- all of it is about relationship. Going to church isn't about being a goody-goody. It isn't about doing what's right. It isn't about impressing others or fulfilling someone's expectations of you. It's about being part of God's family. We need each other. We need Jesus. We need you. Let the joy of Christmas, the joy of snow, the joy of babies and children and music and movies bring you closer to the One who absolutely wants to be with you. God truly loves seeing you walk toward Him. Do you know how that feels -- when someone is so glad to see you? That's what it will be like if you come home to Father God, to Brother Jesus, to Holy Spirit.
Come home this Christmas right there where you.