Well, folks, tonight some big, bad, mean winter storm is supposed to move in (they even used the "I-word" -- as in ICE, and I'm not talking about immigration). Those meteorologists better not be lying again. If they're right, I plan to sit by the fire while my children rub my feet and serve me hot chocolate. (Oh wait, the kids don't live here anymore.)
It looks like everything's coming together in the perfect storm -- frigid temps, wind, snow, sleet, and freezing rain ( = ICE!!). Oh, did I mention massive power outages? Since I need a little extra cash, I've decided to apply to be a storm watcher on the Weather Channel, you know the idiot guy who stands in the middle of a blizzard and holds onto a pole to keep from being hurled into the next county? Then again ...
How quickly our priorities realign in the face of life's storms. Everything is sailing along normally and then -- BAM! -- we remember what's really important, not least of which is the fact God is God and we are not. It's in times like these that we remember him. And we remember what is of eternal value -- family, love, and faith.
We've heard it a million times: don't focus on the negative; focus on all the good that is happening in your life, be it your health, your relationships, or even a cup of hot chocolate by a warm fire. This isn't to say that a huge artic blast isn't crappy. Frankly, I'm not looking forward to losing power for days or to icy, impassable roads for just as long. But since my wife passed away, I've learned that in the midst of loss and tragedy there are still lots of fantastic things happening in my life. You learn to move in and out of grief just as surely as you breathe the air around you. Whatever ugliness transpires this week, there is still so much beauty and goodness to behold, like this pic my daughter sent me this morning.
This goatlet was born this morning along with his twin brother. It's the smallest and most random of things, but what a smile he brought to my face as I thought of how God planned for that little guy to be born into our herd so we could look after him during the storm. You see, in the middle of the darkness and the cold, there are moments of joy found in births and healings and text messages from family. The human connection is often the closest during hardships. Yesterday my son spent hours getting my farm ready for the storm and even re-insulated my well pump for me. His wife brought me farm fresh eggs and delicious bread she had baked herself. Goodness has oozed out from each and every one of my kids and grandkids, demonstrating anew that love (as Paul said) never fails, though power lines may.
The way I see it, our job is to recognize that though we all have problems and difficulties, we should never be limited by them. I thought about that this morning as I got in my last gym workout for who knows how many days. Here's a post-workout pic.
I have come so far. Why should I stop now? Why shouldn't I set for myself new weight loss and fitness goals for 2026? So what if I fail? No one, and I mean no one, goes through life unscathed, especially if they set for themselves lofty goals. A few years ago I ran a marathon on New Year's Day in Allen, Texas. The temp was literally 1 degree Fahrenheit for the entire race. I remember wearing layers and layers of clothing and still feeling like I was freezing to death. I remember the blisters I got on my feet because of the concrete sidewalks we were running on and how I had to walk many of the remaining miles. I remember how despite all the difficulties, 45 of us finished the race anyway. Folks, I could count my blessings and gifts countlessly.
Oddly enough, the verse the Lord gave me this morning during my devotions was Heb. 1:3.
It's a reminder that Christ "holds everything together by his powerful word." The idea of the participle pherōn is one of "sustaining, preserving, governing, and upholding." Here the whole work of Christ's providence over nature is set forth. He does what he pleases. His plan is absolute and irresistible. He bears up the pillars of the universe. He preserves every creature (even newborn goats) in its being. He supplies all with the necessities of life. The whole course of nature and history reveals the Son. Philo called him "the pilot and steersman of everything." Yes, the world is unpredictable and constantly changing. But even natural disasters bring us all closer together. Through desperate times, we are reminded of what is truly lasting.
I am remaining hopeful that the storm won't be as bad as the prognosticators are telling me. Either way, let's deal with it the best we can while continuing to make efforts to be sure our family members and neighbors are cared for. Our shared vulnerability is our shared strength.