The sleet came first and continued through the night. After thinking that the precipitation had stopped, the snow began as small flakes and gradually picked up. Carl wasn’t sure what to make of the white dust that covered the back porch. After sniffing it, he jumped up and down and spun in circles sending white flakes in all directions.
Just as Carl was beginning to enjoy his first experience in the snow, a gust of wind came through with a bitter cold that shook his body. The little dog immediately realized the temperatures were too low for him and ran towards the doggy door and into the warm house. After entering, he ran straight towards the fireplace and shook off the snow that had gathered on his coat.
Only two days ago, my husband and I had been in Miami bathing on the beach in 80 degree weather. Now the temperatures were hovering around 25. Our bodies easily adapted to the warm weather but getting used to the bitter cold was an entirely different matter.
I have always heard that the one thing you can count on in life is change. Change comes in many different forms. Some that can be predicted, like the change in temperatures and others that come out of the blue. There are times in everyone’s lives that preparations can be made for the changes that will take place. But it is the changes that come from nowhere that leave us grasping onto our faith.
After getting home safely on Friday, several people called to ask if we had flown from Fort Lauderdale. Unlike our smooth trip in and out of an airport, the people standing around the baggage claim in Terminal 2 experienced a life changing event. Without any warning, a man took a gun from his baggage and started shooting down innocent bystanders. What started off as a typical day ended in devastation for so many people.
It is in these times that we can relate to David as he calls out to God in Psalm 25:16-18.
“Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me.
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged.
Bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and pain.
And forgive my sins.”
I am not sure what was going on in David’s life when he wrote this psalm but given the many pursuits by his enemies, it was probably another unexpected change that David had to come to terms with.
As for Carl, he is dealing with the change in temperatures by staying close to the fireplace or laying close to me. As for me, I must also stay close to God by keeping my eyes on Him and not on the changes that will always be a part of life.
Thank you, Cora. Those verses are so appropriate for me (and many others), and I have been studying them a lot this week. I would love to see a change in my headaches, but not much yet. I am looking at my sin and what they said about taking care of those before we ask for physical illnesses to be healed. Our sin(s) are the worst to our Heavenly Father, so I will concentrate on those right now! My 3rd Botox treatment was supposed to be today, but doe to the weather it was cancelled. They will reschedule…hopefully soon. Thank you for your insight on change! Love, Kathleen
Kathleen, thanks for your comment. So often we focus so much on our circumstances that we miss out on what God is trying to communicate to us.