NOT A ZERO-SUM GAME

Have you ever heard the expression, “a zero-sum game?”  In economic theory, it says, “as one gains, another loses the same amount.”  As an example, if you have a whole pie and someone takes a piece of it, you lose the same amount of pie that the other person gained.  The amount you lost added to the amount the other person gained will equal the whole, so one person cannot gain without the other person losing.  It is a win-lose situation.

As a mom with two boys only 17 months apart, I had a full time job trying to make sure things were equal and one didn’t get more candy, gifts, attention, etc. than the other.  I did not want their life to feel like a “zero-sum game.”  I finally realized that there were times when one had a greater need than the other and fulfilling that need at the necessary time did not take away from the one who had no pressing needs.  If one came in with a bloody nose, I didn’t grab a wet cloth for both to staunch the bleeding, so that the uninjured child wouldn’t feel neglected.  No, I tended to the injured child until the bleeding was stopped and he was ready to play again.  How useless it would have been for me to have blessed my children with identical gifts, as they grew. They had different needs, abilities, interests and levels of maturity and it was reflected in my blessings to them.  

God blesses His children as they have need and according to their abilities and level of maturity, yet sometime we get the attitude that God is playing a “Zero-Sum Game.”  Materially, why would God bless me with a different car when I have a brand new car sitting in the garage?  Yet, there are times when we find it hard to rejoice with a brother or sister when they receive a material blessing that is better or newer the thing we own.  For years, I looked with longing as people seemed to be blessed spiritually and I was, seemingly, “left behind.”  It seemed that ministry, especially, was a “zero-sum game.”  Every time a brother or sister was used in ministry, was promoted to a position or asked to fulfill a need that I had dreamed of, I assumed my chances had diminished. Passed over time after time, I fretted and fussed, convincing myself that soon there would be nothing of value left for me to accomplish.  Finally, God allowed me to experience one of the coveted “blessings.”  I fell flat on my face and I received an eye-opening revelation; YOUR BLESSINGS DO NOT DIMINISH GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR ME.

As the years have passed and I have matured, I have learned to be content.  The desire to be used in God’s service has not waned but I have learned to be content with allowing God to work through me as HE WILLS.  I can rejoice as I take a ride in a friend’s shiny new car because God is good, not just to me but to all who trust Him. When a sister is asked to speak at a meeting, I listen with enthusiasm, realizing that I was not “passed over” but needed to hear from God through this sister.  I follow my life from the beginning until this very moment and I realize that if the blessings of God turned out to be some “Cosmic Zero-Sum Game,” I would be declared the winner!!!  I have been blessed throughout my life with all that I could handle and more than I deserved.  There is even times that the Creator of the Universe; the Savior of the World actually allows me to reach out and bless another precious brother or sister.  Can it get any better?  I think I have received the BIGGEST PIECE OF THE PIE in this game called Life.

I'LL DO THE HEAVY SHOVELING

Another snowstorm, another Saturday of shoveling, this has been a winter to remember, so far.  Once again, winter coat, gloves, earmuffs and a snow shovel in hand, I stepped out to clear the driveway of its fresh coat of snow that had fallen overnight.  Fortunately, it has been so cold that the 3 inches of snow was light and fluffy.  The one thing I hadn’t counted on, however, was the 35 mph wind that had created hard packed, 2 foot drifts along one side of the snow piles.  Tackling the biggest drifts first, I shoveled until my back hurt and my arms ached and still I had only cleared about 1/4 of our long driveway.  Walking out, carrying the other shovel, Steve said, over the roar of the wind, “Honey, I’ll get the heavy stuff, you go clear the lightly covered surface.  Thankfully, I went to where I could push the snow from side to side, quickly clearing my portion of driveway, while Steve shoveled the heavy drifts and chunks of hardened snow.

Many times, the “winds of life” roar, blowing our trials, burdens, and problems into hardened drifts.  With a “shovel” in hand it seems we face a daunting task and sometimes have no idea where to start shoveling.  Other times we work until we are exhausted, tossing aside every solution, despairing of ever finding the answer.  I wonder how many times we have missed the voice of God gently speaking over the roar, “I’ll get the heavy stuff; you take care of the lighter burdens.”

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

When life becomes overwhelming, I have a dear friend who always says, “Its ok God’s got this.”  We were not created to shovel the “hardened chunks” in our life, so why do we?  Whatever you are facing; whatever storm you are presently going through, you don’t have to “shovel” alone.   Jesus says, “Come to me and we’ll trade.  You take the light load; I’ll get the heavy stuff.  I’ve got this!” 

WE'RE BROTHERS; SOMETIMES WE HURT EACH OTHER

Having raised two boys, it is no surprise to see 6-year old Caleb and 4-year old Nathan sword fighting, wrestling or playing “Superhero” in my living room; that’s what boys do!  I also remember how quickly “play” can escalate to the next level and become “fighting;” that’s what boys do!  Loudly, firmly and with authority, I said, “BOYS!!! That’s enough!  Someone is going to get hurt!”  Nathan paused just long enough to inform me, “It’s ok Grandma, we’re brothers, and sometimes we hurt each other.”  BOOOOMMMM!!!  He connects with the ball and Grandma gets it right between the eyes!  It always amazes me how your kids and grandkids can hit you with some truths using just a few simple words.

One of the things I have learned over the years is, the only people that can truly hurt you are the people you care about and have given that power over you.  It is the people to which you are the closest and most vulnerable; the ones you share your heart with or your innermost feelings.  These are the people whose opinions matter; your family, closest friends, your “brothers and sisters.”  A stranger can call me “fat, stupid and ugly and give me an obscene gesture, as I get out of my car and by the time I get from the parking lot to the store, I say, “whatevah" and forget about it.  Not so, if it comes from someone whose opinion I value.  The wounds and the scars can last a lifetime.

Stop a minute and look at the reverse side.  I know there have been many times that I have carelessly thrown a barbed dart while thinking, “its ok we’re sisters/brothers and sometimes we hurt each other.”  Then continued merrily along my way, never considering the damage my actions have caused.  IT’S NOT OK!!!  Listen to the words of Jesus in John 13:34-36 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  How will men know we are disciples of Jesus if we are constantly sword fighting, backbiting or wrestling for position and attention?  Are we trying to destroy those we love?  Picking and finding fault with each other and fighting with our words and deeds will eventually destroy relationships and prevent the blessing of God in your life.   Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

I may think it is cute for a 4 and 6 year old to stick their tongues out at each other; to wrestle and sword fight but there comes a time when we have to GROW UP!  Thankfully, my 34 and 36 year old sons don’t wrestle each other to the living room floor every time they get together.  The superhero capes and swords have been passed along to their children.  They can actually sit and have a civil conversation…most times.  It is time that we mature in our behavior toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.  It is time to put the swords down and STOP biting and devouring each other. 

 Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  I want a good and pleasant life, don’t you?  One of the best ways to have unity is to pray for your brother or sister.  When you are truly seeking the blessing of God for your brother or sister, you see them through a different lens and the desire for strife ceases.  Be DELIBERATELY ENCOURAGING.  If saying encouraging words to others does not come to you naturally, plan for it.  Pick the one person you seem to have the most difficulty loving and think of all the lovely, encouraging things you can say (even if you don’t want to); then SAY THEM!  The most important thing is when you are around others, SMILE!  A genuinely, warm smile can “mend a lot of fences” especially if it accompanies an “I’m sorry.”  I know it would bring a smile to God’s heart if just once He could hear his children say, “It’s ok God, we’re brothers and we LOVE each other.”

TURN YOUR WELCOME MAT AROUND!

Bundled up in my winter coat, gloves and earmuffs, I went out to shovel the driveway and sidewalk for what seems to be a daily activity, lately.  I am one of those people who actually enjoy shoveling snow; that is, if the wind chill is above 0 degrees.  I enjoy the brisk, fresh air filling my lungs, the rush of energy from using muscles that have been dormant too long and the peaceful solitude away from all the electronic things that now govern my life. It is during these times that I hear God’s voice speak so clearly to my spirit.

Enjoying the even lines that appear on the driveway as I walk back and forth, making progress with my snow shovel, I reached the sidewalk.  Making quick work of the sidewalk and porch, I placed the “Welcome Mat” in front of the door, when it hit me; I had placed the mat so that word “Welcome” faced the front door.  That’s when God began to speak.  What message would my visitors receive when they knocked on my door?  Did the placement of the “Welcome Mat” say to my guests, “Don’t call me, I’ll call you?”  Did the mat welcome me to join the neighborhood but deter the neighborhood from joining me in my home?  Did the “Welcome Mat” at my front door reflect the “Welcome Mat” to my heart?

To my loved ones and close friends, the “Welcome Mat” to my heart is always placed just right.  The smile on my face is warm and inviting; “Come in, stay awhile, let’s talk,” with a warm hug to seal the deal.  But what about those that are not quite so dear, the ones that are needy and don’t mind sharing their every problem, the ones that take and take until you have nothing left to give?  Do you rush to turn your “Welcome Mat” around when you see them coming toward you?  We have all experienced an upside down “Welcome Mat” from someone in our life; the shuttered expression, the pasted on smile that doesn’t quite reach the eyes, the stilted comments, hinting that there are so many more important things for them to do than waste their time speaking with you.  Yet, knowing the empty feelings of viewing the upside down “Welcome Mat,” I fear I have turned my own upside down too many times.

What Would Jesus Do?  I am so thankful that I never find the “Welcome Mat” placed the wrong way when I need to visit with God.  Even when it has been a while, the “Welcome Mat” beckons to me and invites me to run to His welcoming arms.  God never tells me, “This really isn’t a good time” or “I’m doing something really important right now, I’ll get back to you as soon as I’m free."  What about the times, God needs to speak to me?  Does my “Welcome Mat” give its welcoming message to enter whenever He desires or does it only point the way for my convenience?  If you have felt a little lonely lately, check your “Welcome Mat.”  If it seems that God isn’t answering your prayers, maybe it is time to turn your “Welcome Mat” around. 

Revelation 3:20 says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. God is always knocking, always ready for a visit, always has the answer you need.  Turn your “Welcome Mat” around and invite Him in to your life.

WHEN SIN BECOMES YOUR FRIEND - PART 2

Recently, discussing a grievous situation with a close friend, I was reminded of the oft repeated saying, “Sin always takes you further than you ever thought you would go and you end up in places you never thought you would be.”  My friend went on to comment, “I think they have fallen in love with sin and I've seen people do that and when they do, they have no conscience whatsoever.”  The next morning, in a semi-conscious state, I heard these words spoken to my spirit, “When sin becomes your friend.”  The words continued to trouble me during devotions and throughout the day as I began to ponder, “How does the friendship begin?”  “What affect does it have?”  “What are the outward manifestations of such a friendship?”  “Where does the friendship take you and how does it end?”

Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

James 1:1-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Searching the Word of God, we find that the end of sin is death but what happens between the First Embrace and the Final Kiss?

SIN SEPARATES.  Although Adam and Eve were not immediately struck dead because of their disobedience, they experienced immediate separation.  The Bible tells us the first thing they realized is that “they were naked.”  Up to this point they were in constant fellowship and clothed in the Glory of God.  Sin immediately separated them from the Glory and Holiness of God.  No longer would they enjoy the familiar daily fellowship with the Creator; no longer would they stroll through the beautiful garden, tending and enjoying its bounty.  Sin had destroyed the innocence and purity and they were cast out of their home and separated from the intimacy of God’s presence.  Like his parents, Cain also did not immediately die for his transgressions but he, too, faced the consequence of separation.  Genesis 4 tells us that Cain “went out from the presence of the Lord.  He became a fugitive and a vagabond.”  Sin is a jealous friend and demands your full attention. When Sin becomes your friend, it will separate you from close fellowship with God and it will separate you from those who love God and love you.

SIN IS A BETRAYER.  It may begin as a mild flirtation; you pick up the sin, stroke it a few times, then lay it down and move on until you answer its next call.  Soon, however, sin will make its demands and you will become more entangled until you will betray those you love so that sin’s demands can be fulfilled.  King David didn’t set out to sin; it was just a mild flirtation of the eyes; he lingered a little too long and “desire was conceived.”  It was a sin to bring Bathsheba to his bed, knowing that she was another man’s wife.  But the demand of sin was not satisfied with adultery.  When Bathsheba became pregnant, it was a sin to try to cover it up and pass it off as another man’s child.  But the demand of sin was not satisfied with lying.  Sin became a betrayer.  David betrayed a trusted man of valor in his Army, first by lying with his wife, impregnating her and finally having him murdered.  Sin’s final demand was death.  When Sin becomes your friend, it may not demand that you become a murderer, but make no mistake, sin will demand betrayal.  It will cause you to betray those things that are pure and lovely, it may demand a cover-up and it will cause you to betray those who love you the most. Sin will hold your hand as you give the “Kiss of Betrayal” because Sin is a Betrayer.

SIN WILL CHANGE YOU.  Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned?  Do not fool yourself into believing that you will not be affected by sin. You are not strong enough to take the “fire of sin” into your life and not be burned.   Sin will change you; it will change your behavior, your way of thinking, and even change your way of speaking.  We find Peter, warming himself by the fire, when he is accused of being a follower of Jesus.  This is the same Peter who had walked, talked and dined with Jesus.  He had witnessed the miracles, walked on the water and even followed Him into the garden to pray.  It is the Peter that vowed he would never betray his Lord. Yet, when faced with a trial, a beating and death because of an association, sin changed him into a person he thought he would never become.  After being pointed out as a friend of Jesus, three times, Peter decided to settle the situation once and for all; he changed his speech.  Mark 14:71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” Friendship with sin will take you places you never thought you would go and they won’t seem so bad.  Your speech will turn from things that are pure and lovely to those things which are base and gutter-like.   When sin becomes your friend, evil will seem good and good will seem evil because Sin will change you!!

When Sin becomes your friend, the end result is death but the good news is the friendship can be broken.  It does not have to become a “lifelong” partnership.     Romans 5:19  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.  God already had a plan in place before the first sin.    The plan was JESUS.  He was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”  Death does NOT have to be the final sentence; through Jesus Christ we can have eternal life.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. You can become a “Friend of God.”

WHEN SIN BECOMES YOUR FRIEND - PART 1

Part 1 of this blog was birthed through many tears and from words God spoke to my spirit early one morning between slumber and awaking.  I have had to pause and weep many times as I write, for the many dear ones who have locked hands with sin and cannot see the ever-tightening chains that surround them.  Part 2 is in the process of being written and will be posted in the next few days.

Genesis 3:8 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.

Every child who has sat in Sunday School knows the story of Adam, Eve and the “apple.”  They can tell you that God said they were not supposed to eat of the tree, the serpent told Eve it was ok, she wouldn’t really die, Eve ate the fruit, gave it to Adam, he ate and they realized they were naked. But is that really what happened?  Did Eve accidently pass the tree one day, listened to a snake and thought, “Why not?”  I believe there is much more to the “first sin” scenario then most of us think.  Look at your own life.  Have you ever just accidently or impulsively sinned?  Or did it involve a process, over time?  Was sin allowed to become your friend?

James 1:1-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

In my mind, the first “sin” scenario went something like this.  Every day, Eve would stroll through the garden, tending to it and admiring God’s handiwork.  When she came to the tree in the middle of the garden, Eve would linger, admiring its perfectly formed leaves, its luscious hanging fruit, and inhaling its enticing aroma. After lingering day after day, the aroma prompted her mind to imagine how sweet just one bite would taste and her body began to desire fulfillment.  You will notice, she hadn’t touched the forbidden yet, because when the serpent tried to twist God’s command, Eve told him, “God said we should not even touch the tree.”  Over months of lingering, desire was conceived,  sin was birthed and Eve reached out her hand.  Sin had become her friend.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

 Once Adam and Eve “opened the door,” sin entered the world and has affected every person since that time.  For the first family it didn’t take long for friendship with sin to manifest itself in their children.  Genesis 4 speaks of a time when Cain brought a sacrifice to the Lord but instead of the “blood” sacrifice required by the Lord, Cain brought the fruit of his own labors; crops he had tended.  We aren’t given much information as to why Cain refused to bring a blood sacrifice, maybe he didn’t want to deal with the messiness involved in sacrificing a lamb, perhaps the crops he had tended grew especially well and with pride he presented what “he had accomplished” to God or maybe he just didn’t believe it really mattered as long as he gave God something.  We do know, however, that God did not accept this offering from Cain and Cain allowed anger to consume him.  God tells Cain to not be angry but just do the “right” thing.  Then God says something very interesting in Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” God told him, “Sin desires to be your friend, but if you refuse its friendship, rule over it and offer the sacrifice I desire, I will accept you.” The sad end to this part of the story is that Cain could not see past the "door" and Sin became Cain’s friend.

I was reminded by a dear friend of the old saying, “Sin always takes you further than you ever thought you would go and you end up in places you never thought you would be.”  Sin does not become just a “casual” friend, content to share a cup of coffee every few years, just to “catch up.”  No, Sin will not be satisfied until it is your ONLY friend, consuming your time, your desires and your will.  Sin puts on a beautiful façade, luring and enticing until you embrace and take hold of its hand.  Before long you notice that Sin never leaves your side as you stroll down its wide smooth path.  It continues to surround you, until you become entangled and inseparable; its thoughts become your thoughts, its desires, your desires, its will, your will; Sin has become your friend!

HOW TO MELT AN M&M

Over the years of serving God and ministering to people, one thing I have learned is God always gives you a mixed bowl of “sweet things” to work with.  Some are Jelly Beans; they come in assorted flavors and the flavor on the outside goes all the way through to the center.  What you see is what you get, although sometimes you think the red one is cherry and it turns out to be a spicy cinnamon.  Others are hard, sour lemon drops, or sweet, gooey caramels; still others are just plain “nuts.”  My biggest challenge, however, are the M&Ms.  The M&Ms come in a beautiful array of colors but it is only a shell covering the goodness that lies in the middle.

Making M&Ms involves a step by step process.  First the chocolate center is formed, then it endures a process called “Panning”, in which a sprayed on candy layer is allowed to harden. This process is performed over and over until the chocolate center is completely covered and becomes a hardened shell.  Have you ever put an M&M in your mouth and just let it melt on your tongue?  There is no taste-difference between the colors; just the same bland, sweetness until you reach the chocolate middle.  The shells are all made from the same blend of unflavored sugar and corn syrup with the coloring added to the last shell layer and finally stamped with an ‘M.” To get to the real goodness, you have to melt or crack through the shell.

So many precious people have been through the “Panning” process of life. The rich center of their being has been coated and left to dry, over and over until finally all you see is the bright, hardened façade with a smile permanently imprinted.  They never allow anyone to see the sweet, softness lying beneath the shell because just a little crack may be their undoing.  Bravado keeps the tears at bay; one moment of vulnerability could melt a lifetime of hardened shell.  Deep down, they long for someone’s warmth to melt through to the center but the fear of being devoured keeps the chilled shell of protection intact.  How do you reach these souls, yearning to break free?  You have to melt an M&M, slowly.

So, how do you melt an M&M?  It takes time.  Allow the light of God’s love to slowly melt a layer at a time.  Savor every breakthrough but don’t “bite” down; apply the warmth but not the heat.  Some layers may take longer to melt than others and even re-hardened for a time.  Keep loving, keep finding ways to connect and soon you will notice the smile is no longer just stamped on and a glimpse of sweet goodness is shining through. 

God loves all varieties; the sour Lemon Drops, sticky Caramels, the Nut-filled Nougats and even the hard-shell M&Ms.    So don’t sort through and pick out your favorites, discarding those that are marred, damaged, or discolored.  God may be calling you to be part of the process that melts the shell in a person’s life as He molds them into a sweet, soft morsel fit for His candy bowl.

ARE YOU SPEAKING PROPHETICALLY?

Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

WORDS MATTER!  The words you speak are not just empty sounds that fade into the wind, they matter and they have a great responsibility attached to them.  They can speak life and blessing to the hearer or hurt and destruction, but they will have an effect.  The old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is totally false; words can break hearts, wound spirits and leave eternal scars.  WORDS MATTER!

A lesson I wish I had learned at a younger age is the words you speak over and to your children can have a prophetic affect. Research reveals that a child who is constantly told he/she is “no good, stupid, fat, clumsy or a piece of garbage,” will begin to believe that about themselves and ultimately become those words.  On the other hand, a child that is told they are loved, that their thoughts and opinions matter, encouraged in pursuing their dreams, and affirmed with loving correction will be successful.  True, some have been over-affirmed without the loving correction and we have created egotistical monsters but by using affirmation correctly and choosing your words, carefully, you can prophesy great things into the lives of your children and even your peers.

I will never forget the first time someone told me I was “sweet and nice.”  At first my mind just couldn’t wrap itself around that phrase; they were talking about me!  I couldn’t wait to get home and let Steve know that someone thought I was sweet and nice.  He, of course, looked at me as if I had lost it and said, “Well of course you are, I always thought so.”  My mind was reeling, I didn’t know my husband thought those things about me, no one had ever told me before.  I had wonderful parents who loved me and cared for me, but believed that pointing out negative traits would “shame” me into being a better person.  From the time I began to talk, I had a mouth that needed to be tamed.  I knew I was a “smart alec,” “hateful,” “sharp-tongued,” “intimidating,” and always “had to have the last word,” because I was told so.  I tried to be the soft-spoken, sweet girl that everyone flocked to but deep down I knew I just wasn’t born to be sweet and nice until one day a person, unknowingly spoke a prophetic word over me.  That sparked something in me that longed to hear those words again and again.  I began to find ways to speak loving things to others, to affirm them rather than criticize, to smile rather than retort and to listen rather than speak. A Facebook connection, recently commented that I was so arrogant and needed to tone things down; the old nature threatened to rise up.  I wanted to come back with sharpness and a quick retort but I refuse to let those words prophesy into my life.  I took them seriously and stepped back to do self-examination and asked God for a “heart adjustment,” but I refuse to allow the words to once again define me.

Jeremiah 29:11says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Allow God’s opinion to define you; allow Him to speak a prophetic word into your life.  He has great thoughts regarding you and He created you to be a beautiful vessel, set apart to accomplish great things.  GOD’S WORDS MATTER; let them be the words you speak to others.

STRONG WINDS & DRIFTING SNOW

I have lived in the northern United States most of my life, so I am no stranger to snow, shoveling, strong winds and subzero temperatures.  Still, it is something that my body has a problem acclimating to every winter.  On the first Sunday of 2014, we awoke to a winter snow storm that would eventually dump 18 inches of snow on our little town of Grand Blanc, MI.  We shoveled the first 6 inches at 11:00 in the morning and Steve went out at least 2 more times that day in a futile effort to clear the driveway.  Monday morning, the driveway was covered with 6-8 more inches and then came the winds.  Not just a little breeze, oh no!!!  These were 25-30 mph Arctic winds carrying the new name of “Arctic Vortex.”  Tuesday morning, the driveway had drifted shut; Wednesday morning, once again, 2 foot snow drifts filled our driveway.  We laughed, so we wouldn’t cry and joked that we were becoming so familiar with this snow we had shoveled over and over that soon we would have to give the piles names.  Finally, the winds died down, the air warmed up and a soft rain tamed the drifting snow and our driveway stayed clear and dry.

How many times have I shoveled the “snow” from my life only to realize that overnight, it has all drifted back and shut down my heart?  There are times the drifts pile up because I have not been diligent to “man the shovel” in seeking God.  Other times it is a fresh storm, which requires a little time and “sweat” to clear, with God lovingly, helping to guide the shovel.  Then, there are the days when it feels as if the “Arctic Vortex” has landed right in the middle of my spirit.  I watch, helplessly as the swirling winds threaten to knock me off my feet.  My spirit chills as the “snow” drifts impede my progress.  Every shovel-full blows back into my face and I want to give up.

KEEP SHOVELING!!!!  The strong winds won’t last forever; they will soon fade to a gentle breeze.  Allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to warm your heart and showers of God’s blessing to tame the drifting snow.  After the winter snow is gone, your spirit will bloom again.

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.