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Great. Winter finally arrived here--the week before Spring!
Choice time. Will I ruin some days (my birthday, tomorrow, included) by complaining, muttering, "Seriously, we need to move to an always-warm place. &^%$#@"? Or will I accept this present "it just is" and receive grace to shovel snow rather than whine while ice pelts my face, "I'm pushing 60, for Pete's sake! I've paid my dues."?
Stay tuned. I'm not sure yet. heh.
As I wrote at Facebook: Yikes! Our second-story window this morning and guess who felt like Laura Ingalls in The Long Winter?! Though, relax. The snow isn't actually that high--it just feels like it is. We have a travel advisory (no unnecessary travel) till 10:00 a.m., so Tom's working from home for awhile. Alas.
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Have you read An Enemy Called Average? I'm rereading it now because, Honey, it's so easy to sink into Average during a Buffalo winter. To get all, "Who cares if the house and I look bad today? No one's gonna drop by in all this snow." Or all, "So what if I just read and watch tv the whole, entire winter away? Who'll notice?"
God will notice, that's who. And me and others in my life, as well, if I allow myself to drift backward to Old Cranky Debra of Yesteryear.
Letting ones self and house and mind 'go' is extremely simple--but is that the road we're called to always take? Easy Way?
No. The Bible never says, "Just spend Winter (or any season) fooling around thinking only of yourself and doing Easy." And since it doesn't, God provides strength to remain excellent and shine, busting through the Just Be Lazy tuggings.
Yes, even if you're on bed rest like my friend, Betsy, who injured her back while shoveling snow. Even so, for Betsy has remained a light to me these months of recuperation. She has! And as I've experienced, myself, these helpless, 'down times' can be perfect for attending the best, most loving classroom, ever. The Receiving Grace Class.
No time spent in God's presence is wasted. Ever, even if lying upon one's back.
Always we can do and be better, stronger and a brighter light. Why? Because always God's standing beside us, waiting to turn up our heart's lamp to its brightest glow. Even in the Winters of our lives.
"Mediocrity is a region bounded on the north by compromise, on the south by indecision, on the east by past thinking, and on the west by a lack of vision."
---from An Enemy Called Average by John L. Mason
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Announcement!
Because the book, An Enemy Called Average, inspires me like crazy, I'm offering free copies for two of my readers.
We have our two winners..........!
Thanks, Ladies, for playing along and requesting this inspiring book.
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YOU are an inspiration to me! What a sweet thing to say. As I was reading this post, I was feeling like, "That's me. I've gotten absolutely nothing done this winter. I feel like my house has suffered. Projects have suffered." And then, I read your sweet words. Thank you. I hope your snow doesn't last long and you can enjoy it while it does. And a huge "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOMORROW!" I hope it's everything you could wish for.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Happy Birthday Debra!!! Even though there's snow and cold, another year of your life is definitely worth celebrating. We're in the deep freezer, too, but hubby keeps telling me it can't last long. Spring is coming. God bless you richly--today and everyday!
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