Jan 2012
The Trouble with Snow
Mon 16 Jan 2012 Filed in: My Life | Reflections
But it can be a treacherous beauty. I have seen the power of snow to incapacitate all kinds of things dreamed up by human genius. Including our schedules. And I have a healthy respect for the power of what God creates. I personally have no trouble avoiding skis and snowboards; my feet are big enough and flat enough as it is. I have outgrown my need to prove that I can navigate ice. The truth is I like my snow at a distance. And when it gets too close for comfort, I remind myself that sooner or later, it will melt. Because that’s the way God made it.
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Remembering
Mon 09 Jan 2012 Filed in: My Life | Grief Notes
Today was a day for remembering. It’s been four years since Joan passed away, four years since she met the Savior face to face. It was a much calmer day today than it was then. We stopped briefly by the cemetery and went up to the Calcutta Grill, one of her favorite restaurants, for a “Joan memorial” lunch, and it was fun. In spite of the clouds, the view was great, in spite of the occasion, the mood was upbeat, and the food was great, too. Suzanne brought along a Joan album, and we leafed through it, looking at pictures, smiling at memories, telling a few “Joan stories,” and thanking God for her.
Remembering is a good thing. Building memories is important. I’m thankful today for the priceless memories I have -- and for the memories yet to be built.
2012
Sun 08 Jan 2012 Filed in: Reflections
Wondering about when the world will end may make for interesting conversation, but it strikes me as a bit presumptuous. It presumes that we have - and are entitled to - more time than the present moment. But the present is all the time we ever have. Since the only time that is certain is the moment I currently have, it behooves me to use it wisely and to enjoy the One who gave it to me.
Sometimes I have welcomed the new year with a particular passage of scripture to help focus each moment that God gives. This year I’ve turned to Psalm 31. The same song in which David declares, “My times are in your hands” includes these encouraging words:
How great is your goodness
which you have stored up for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.
My expectation and my hope this year has nothing to do with the Mayans. Each moment this year, I want to enjoy God’s great goodness.