With all of the metro-Denver area, I anticipated a few inches of snow this past week. On Wednesday, the snow began to lightly fall. Yet, it seemed as though a snow machine in the clouds remained turned on. A few inches became several. For the first day of inclement weather, I switched my schedule to remain home, ensconced in warmth. Nevertheless, the next day I braved the weather and the roads to spend time with my granddaughters. Snow.
At 2 1/2 years old, Eve loves the snow. She and I enjoyed a snowy time together with the unpredictable several inches of snow. We caught snowflakes with our tongues, ate snowball sandwiches, and sled down the small slope behind her house. Together we hopped and jumped into the fluffy snow, giggling at the soft cushion the snow provided. Eve laid on her back making a beautiful snow angel and we even built a little snowman. He looked rather traditional until Eve decided to eat his carrot nose for a snack đ€Ș. We played in the snow making fun memories together. At Eve’s nap time, I headed home with a full heart. Snow.
The weekend news forecast warned of another impending storm bringing more snow to the Denver area. I wondered about the conditions for my flight on Saturday to Pennsylvania. The day before my flight, I awoke to the message from my airline allowing me to change my flight without any change fees due to the weather. Because I needed to get to Black Rock Retreat by Sunday to lead the Soul Care Encounter, I took a look at my options and within an hour I rebooked myself on an earlier flight, packed my bags (that is not a typo, I had not packed yet), showered, and asked my husband to drive me to the airport. The sky started dumping snow. Whew! That morning was a flurry of activity, I thanked God for the earlier flight. Snow.
My newly scheduled flight experienced a delay due to the snowy weather and ice buildup on the wings of the plane. Eventually, the flight made it out of Denver. Unfortunately, I did not land in time for my connecting flight to Philadelphia. So, I spent the night at a hotel outside Washington D.C. without my luggage. The next morning I sat outside the gate of my new flight, praying that both my luggage and I would make it safely to my destination. Snow.
The snow last week brought both delight and delay. The unpredictable impacted the planned and expected. Nevertheless, even with the delays, I noticed Godâs warmth within my soul. I cherished the snow time with Eve from earlier in the week and trusted that I would get to my destination, at some point in the future. Snow.
I find myself wondering about the delight and delays the apostle Paul encountered. Scripture recounts the ways Paul delighted in the growth of the church and connection with fellow followers of Jesus (2 Corinthians 7, Philippians, and Philemon). Paul trusted God through delays and redirection (Romans 1:10-13; 15:22-24, and 1 Thessalonians 2:18). He grew through the unpredictable. The Lord accompanied Paul through the ups and downs of life. Paul encountered God in the delight and delays of the uncertain. God.
How do you and I grow through the unpredictable? In what ways do we respond to the delight and delays of life? Do we only want the delights of life? What can we gain through the delays that we encounter? Where do we notice the presence of God with the delights and delays of life?
Both delights and delays faced in unpredictable moments of life offer opportunities for growth. This week I plan to teach about different women in the Bible who encountered Jesus (The Samaritan Woman, The Bleeding Woman, The Bent Woman, The Adulterous Woman, The Anointing Woman, and The Widowed Woman). In each instance these women thought their lives were stuck in their predictable circumstances and conditions, yet Jesus engaged each woman bringing the unpredictable. These women each lived their stories, which connected to despair, delay, and disappointment. Despite that, Jesus encountered them and offered dignity and hope, bringing unforeseeable freedom, healing, connection, and delight. God.
Look for Godâs presence in both the delights and delays of life. Be curious about His invitations when the unexpected meets your day (like back-to-back snowstorms âïž). God remains present in all things. If the weather disrupts your daily rhythm, pay attention for delightful encounters with God and others. If you experience delays due to unexpected events or conditions, trust in the goodness of God. He loves you and journeys with you. God takes pleasure in being found by us during the unforeseeable, the uncertain, and the seemingly random circumstances of life (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
This week – – –Â
Reflect on Luke 7:11-17 – Consider this woman who lost both her husband and her son (in a patriarchal society). What emotions do you imagine the woman experienced? Be curious with God about this passage – How do you notice Jesus meeting this woman’s unpredictable situation? How does it speak to your life? What does it show you about who Jesus is?
Request. Wonder about unpredictable circumstances and condition in your own life (weather, traffic, health, finances, relationships, etc.). Look for God. How did you experience delight? In what ways do you notice God with you in the delays? Welcome His presence with you. Ask for grace to live attentive to His invitations to delight in the unplanned and trust Him with the delays.
Receive. Rest in God’s care for you in all the moments of life. He is trustworthy – you can believe Him. (Mark 9:24)
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Luke 7:12-14 – As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried outâthe only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, âDonât cry.â Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, âYoung man, I say to you, get up!â The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Matthew 28:20 – Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.â
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Marlinda Ireland. What Is God Waiting for: Making the Most of Divine Delays. Ada, MI. 2006.
Craig Groeschel. Hope in the Dark: Believing God Is Good When Life Is Not. Grand Rapids, MI. 2018.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Chris Brown and Brandon Lake. Do It Again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llTruhsfYbg
Housefires. I Thank God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIhhLLHY65E
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
November 9-13 – Soul Care Encounter
Black Rock Retreat, Quarryville, PA