Distraction of Drifts

While nestled in my warm cozy home, watching the snow accumulate and drift with the latest Colorado storm, I am grateful I do not have to go anywhere.  The aromas of baked bread and crock pot soup waft through the air while I am wrapped in my warm fluffy blanket, savoring my second cup of coffee. When the kids were younger, blizzards were welcome pauses allowing time for family games, sledding, building snow men, and helping with the exhausting job of shoveling and clearing the snow from the driveway and front walk.  During this particular storm, husband tried to get out and remove the snow in shifts hoping to keep the work to a minimum. However, we watched as the wind intervened and the fluffy white drifts filled the cleared pavement deeper than it was before.

Sometimes my intentions drift like snow.  Receiving this gift of time, made me realize how vulnerable I am to this.  It seemed that the unexpected pause should have allowed me the ability to cross off those organizational tasks on my never-ending “to-do” lists. Instead, I seemed to drift aimlessly between tasks and had difficulty focusing on anything. Like the drifting snow, even though some of the tasks were completed, more tasks piled into the space created. I was left with a guilty feeling instead of taking a moment to breathe and relax.

Drifting snow has its changing beauty and tends to slow things down.  Most of my days are so scheduled that I constantly live under a cloud of guilt with the lack of my own productivity. Blizzards can bring a welcome bonus day off that allows more flexibility and opens up special times with loved ones or just plain relaxation. 

Proverbs 17: 24 is a reminder that when we are wise and intentional with our thoughts we are more discerning to what God’s will is for us. But if we wander too much, we can stray from God’s desires.  At first, I interpreted this as an admonishment to my squandered hours during my day off.  However, as I thought about it, God was reminding me to be intentional about how I use these unexpected gifts of time.  He is slowing me down to recognize the immeasurable value to family time, relaxation, and maybe focus on a devotion I might have raced through the first time.  Proverbs 62:5 reminds me to find my rest in God. “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift and beauty of drifting snow. During this past year, there have been many cancellations and changes that have provided opportunities to slow down. Help me, especially as I approach Holy Week, realize that there is value in relaxation and rest and savor it. Amen

As always, I appreciate your encouragement and seek to serve!

Peg Arnold

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