DON’T HAVE THEM!

MINNESOTA HAS BEEN HAVING A LOT OF SNOW THIS NEW YEAR. I am almost sixty-three now (this April) and I have asked people my age and older if they remember as I do:

• didn’t we get a lot of 30 below temperatures?
• do you remember that it never used to rain in the winter?
• do you remember the seasons being more defined? May was sunny and warm. April was rainy, windy and cold
• we had more rain storms in the summer
• didn’t we used to get a lot more snow than we usually do now?

A lot of people totally agree with me. The weather has changed. And this month, February 2019, we have had a record-breaking snowfall.

SO PEOPLE GET STUCK:

I was one of the them. I believe because it was early in the afternoon during one of the big snowfalls. I believe those totally awesome snowplow guys and gals didn’t have their job done yet. There was a lot for them to do! I always, always appreciate them! Everyone should. And probably because of this, at a major intersection I was stuck and had to sit through two red arrows… I was able, that time, to back up slightly, move forward – back up slightly, move forward. My little car was able to get through a not-so-big snow mound. The next occurrence, however, was not as easily overcome.

NOTE: Notice I did not say not so luckily overcome… There is no such thing as luck, mother nature, or hopelessness. These are three good teachings in themselves. But not for this day.

I got stuck on a side road very near my home. Blessedly (a real happening) my husband was only one block away and he came to my rescue. I was so amazed how quickly he got home; how he rocked the car out of the deep snow all by himself (but: of course God was with him – not another person.)

The thing I remember most about this incident are the two men who were going straight on a busy street as I was trying to turn on a red light – twice. I stopped where I was when the light changed against me because I knew I was safely not in their way in any way. They didn’t have to swerve away, change lanes… or anything. These two men, in separate incidents, looked over at me like I was weird. I had decided long ago when I started driving that I would never swear at anyone (whether they could hear me or not), never give them an obscene gesture or never call them a name that wasn’t true (like idiot.) With these two guys I just laughed to myself and said to myself (because in no way could they hear me): “Don’t ya think I might be stuck?”

It was funny that they didn’t respect me. Here, the snow was excessive, the main roads were not all plowed well.

The lesson? Let’s take an excerpt from my book Joy Stories, Volume One:

On one of those wintry days, when it’s overcast and the snow is somewhat dingy, I was driving (that’s another whole “Joy Story” in itself!) two blocks from my home in January of 2008. I’m not one of those who allow the weather to command my thoughts, my mood, my outlook. I fully realize as a precious and beloved daughter of the King the weather is not my soul’s joy thermometer. My joy is from the LORD as it always will be. I know that God is in control now, was then and that which is to come. I know my LORD and I know what He has done for me, in me and through me. Obviously then, when things are not screaming perfect beauty and peace (such as sunny weather, a clean house, a dentist appointment in the very distant future, or my doggies being sweetly clean) I don’t get down. I don’t become rude or nasty to someone because it’s cold, gloomy, my cat died or I have a hangnail.

Therefore, as I am in my car, filled with the knowledge of God, I am striving to choose always a thankful heart. As I was driving down the street with the sunless sky, the dingy snow I glanced upon one of those items people set out on their curb and mark “FREE!” hoping someone will haul away their junky junk that they simply just don’t want to pay to have removed. To some people, anything that is free is a bargain. Beware!

RECAP:

I’m not one of those who allow the weather to command my thoughts, my mood, my outlook.

My joy is from the LORD as it always will be.

Selah

Beloved: God can use weather, a mean look, a signal light to bring a message of inspiration to you, to me. God is good all the time! Line your attitude up with His and you will make that mountain move!

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY:

Luke 8:22-25
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown! He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Mark 11:22-26
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Luke 6:21-22
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

John 14:22-27
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.