This started as an expression of gratitude of God's amazing timing. I have two paper routes. I get paid (a little bit) to get a decent workout. Today, I don't have to drive school bus, so I got one paper route done at an average time but the second route, I got done two hours ahead of schedule! I thought it was quite nice out, so I didn't even think of bringing a jacket or anything. AND IT SNOWED! LOL
For my in-town route, I park my van and deliver to one street, then move the van and continue until I'm finished. I was driving from one street to another and my phone rang. I try not to miss calls, but I also won't use my phone while driving. I was able to back directly into a parking spot, before the phone stopped ringing. Perfect. It was an important call, so I'm glad that I didn't miss it. And that's when the snow started, while I was in my van! A little bit at first, a bunch of cold rain, and then more snow! More like sleet which would have been downright painful on my bare arms. I did get cold in the van, and did look around to see what options I had. I use pillow cases for grocery bags, so I did have a couple, I might have even wrapped one around me for a minute. LOL At least I thought about it. :) This was so long ago, already, like less than two hours ago.
As the call finished, so did the snow! the sleet! whatever it was - the cold stuff! I was thinking of going home to get a jacket and realized that I was so close to finished that I could probably just get out there and get it done, so I did! :) And I marveled at how the timing of all of that worked out sooo very beautifully, even if it might seem insignificant. I had options. I know there's so much more to have to be dealing with. But, "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:7, NIV) If knowing how many strands of hair on your head doesn't seem insignificant, then maybe nothing really is. God takes care of the smallest details because He can and He cares.
So why is God busy counting the hairs on our head and pushing around snow clouds when He could be curing cancer or protecting people from violence or disaster? Certainly not because He lacks care. His care for the tiny details show us a portion of how much He cares. And what we can learn from Matthew 5:45 is that we certainly cannot use someone's blessings nor demise to judge them. That's the a-ha moment of today, not just an expression of gratitude but an extra lesson to go with it.
Many of us have explored the idea of why bad things happen. It's definitely a topic of its own. My favourite go-to Scripture for this is "1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some claimed that he was." (John 9, 1-9, NIV)
We are reminded that we can never judge anyone, for any reason. We don't know what they are going through now nor in the past. We must also be careful with the Gospel of Prosperity; one that promises health and wealth if you just love God enough.
My own life is so far from perfect or even ideal. We also have different ideas on what those two words even mean. My life is not easy and I don't know anyone who actually lives an easy life. Is there really such thing? Richness and fame bring their own problems - so it seems. We've been through some pretty deep poverty and it's not the worst that's happened to us. But today, I had a wonderful reminder of the sun shining on the righteous and the unrighteous. We also have to remember that if all we have is sunshine, our food plants will die from drought. In every life, a little rain must fall. It's not all bad. I do know that loneliness makes just about any problem seem worse. "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Genesis 2:18, NIV) Yes, God made a wife for Adam, but this isn't just about spouses. We are able to and called to help (love) one another. If you are lonely, even in a pandemic, please find someone! Call a help line, find a way to help your community, mend broken relationships, find a church family, and pray! Speak to God and listen for His response. Keep listening. He cares for you enough to count the hairs on your head. If He keeps you waiting, He has a reason. He has not quit caring for you. <3
That's a lot of thought out of a snow cloud, right?! ;) I pray that you are blessed, today and everyday, in the presence of the Lord. <3
oooo, another thought - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1, NIV) Just the very act of being in your Bible is being in the presence of God! "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NIV) But we'll explore that more deeply, another day! <3