As the sun shines through my office window, I sit with a smile and exasperation that it’s been 2 days in a row with temperatures in the 30’s. This has been a winter season I will never forget for a couple of reasons. If you have read my blogs over the past year, you know that I had to change jobs. The last job I had for 22 years and was safe from being exposed to the elements other that walking to and from my car into the building. The 8 years before that was the same. 30 years of not dealing with the snow and cold. (Other than shoveling, plowing, or playing, in it). Each day I would dread looking at the forecast. Temps well below zero and snow amounts anywhere from 6 to 14 inches to fall on the area. A couple of pictures of the beauty it left on the property where I live. Even with the beauty the winter has been long and brutal.
It has been recorded that his has been the coldest and most accumulation of snow in over 30 years! Huh? Now I’m not sure if in previous post, I shared that I don’t believe in coincidence, but for the record I don’t. I also know that my world is not the only focus in God’s vision or plan. I do believe that since I have been thankful and have shared how God was and continues to be very gracious with His provisions, I may be put to the test to continue being thankful when the elements have done their best to make me think otherwise. You know that when we give praise to our God, a test may come to pass to see if the praise continues. Just look at the life of Job.
Now I am not comparing my situation to Job’s or saying that I have encountered hardships in any kind of magnitude as Job. I do know that in scripture because God said that Job was a righteous man, the devil went before God and asked to challenge Job to remain faithful even in adversity. For someone like myself who did not have to work outside for the last 30 years and this has been the harshest winter in over 30 years it could make one say, huh?
Not only do I have to drive 17 miles one way during this historic winter, I have to also drive all day long thru the refinery to make deliveries. Load a truck in the snow; push a two wheeled dolly thru snow, slush, ice, up and down slippery stairs. Shovel snow off a loading dock and away from a loading area so that I can get in and out of 2 other warehouses. I’m not complaining, just showing how I could have just bemoaned my circumstances and hated my job instead of giving thanks. I believe the longer we give thanks for how God has or is blessing our lives and we give Him the praise, we may be challenged to see if the praise continues. So I apologize for this winter where I live, and had to deal with. As I stated earlier, I know the world does not revolve around just my life, but once again I have to say, huh! I will continue to give thanks and praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.
I know the snow will end, I just wonder what the summer will bring? I apologize
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