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| Abby and cousin Eric sliding together. |
Yesterday I spent about 6 hours on the road. I went to my hometown of Jackson to visit my family, and then traveled back again last night. While the roads were good on the way over, they deteriorated considerably on the way back to Winona. Because of many prayers, I made it home in spite of the accidents that I saw occurring on the way home. In retrospect, in looking back at my trip, I could see God’s hand over me when driving on the icy roads.
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| Abby, Eric and Eric's daddy, Brandon. |
Today I blew the driveways out due to the 6 inches of snowfall on the ground. Since then we have accumulated about 2 more inches. Aside from the one time in December that we had snow, this is the most significant amount of snowfall all winter.
When I finished blowing the driveway late in the morning, the kids and I went sliding. As it turns out, Will and Abby really miss the winter snow. Getting back to my entry, (I went outside to slide with the kids again,) children find that making the most of each moment is natural to them. It was their playing in the snow that lured me back outside again. As I now glance up and look out through the windows and see my children playing, I am reminded that one's perspective is so important in how we look at different occurrences in our lives. Unlike us adults when roadblocks occur, children on the other hand naturally react much of the time with, “This is going to be fun!” We on the other hand weigh all the possible negative outcomes against the potential positive possibilities, and then we make careful decisions one way or the other. In some cases, this is the wise thing to do, since we as adults must be responsible to follow through with our decisions even when the path gets rough later on. The difficulty at times is in knowing when to let go of that path when it causes us much dismay, as well as the potential of making it difficult for others in our immediate vicinity.
As I said before, children have a natural propensity to look into the future with such a positive outlook, and so when following their dreams, they often turn out well. As adults when falling down, sometimes we have a difficult time in getting up, and for that matter, seeing the way up as a positive step. Life during these instances sometimes becomes difficult in seeing through the veil of heartaches. But, there is hope!
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| If I run fast enough and then jump on. . . |
When David looked to God’s council, God responds in Psalms 32 7&8 with hope. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.’” One notices that God does not say, I will instruct you and teach you in the way(s) you should go. Here God says that there is only one way, not many. God has a plan for you when times are difficult, as well as when they are good.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-12 . . . “for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Paul has found his peace not out of external situations or that of blind faith as one choosing to walk in the darkness without a light. He knew that whatever came his way, there was a reason. God took care of Paul and he will take care of us also. God loves you and he will not leave you during these struggles that you may be going through. 2nd Corinthians 5:7 says that we walk by faith and not by sight. Just as when I take little Abby’s hand when crossing the street, she might not know of the dangers that I am trying to keep her from, God also has our hand. A child trusts his or her parents in that knowing the answers is not always important to them, just knowing that a loving father or mother is watching over them is enough. We too must trust that God is holding our hand when difficult times come, and no answers are apparent.
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| Will helping uncle Brandon dust off his car. |
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Know that God is with you today and he knows your heart. He is taking care of you right now, even when it isn’t possible to see visible signs of his presence. He is with you, by your side, and he is holding your hand.
