A few years ago I was searching for a snow blower. The one I had been using kept breaking down. I was also sharing it with my son who lived a few miles away. This meant every time he needed the snow blower, we had to load it into a trailer, haul it to his place, then turn around and bring it back to our house. Point being– this was a constant, labor-intensive process, and I was determined to change that. So I searched the internet for a (new to me) snow blower.
If there is one thing I love, it’s a road trip with my wife to look at used machinery. As luck would have it, I found what looked like a good Husqvarna snowblower about 40 miles away. It was already about 4 p.m., but the owner said he would be home and we were welcome to take a look at it. Pulling into the yard where the snowblower was located, the owner came out and started the machine. Unfortunately, it was a bit more used than I wanted and ran a bit rough, so I thanked him and we left.
The autumn clouds overhead warned of wind and rain, and it was darker than when we’d first started. After driving for a few miles, the wind started up and the rain began to come down. A few more miles later, it started to pour. I mean POUR! Cats, dogs, and the whole zoo of rain-producing creatures kind of POURING. At one point, we hydroplaned and I could not see the white lines on the pavement. I pulled over to a side road and slowed the car to a stop.
A few minutes later, the rain slowed. The clouds floated by. The wind stopped howling. And a few remaining rays of the evening sunset greeted us. We drove the rest of the way home treasuring this view.
Moving Through the Story of Jesus
On Sunday, January 12, we celebrated the Baptism of Our Lord. We have moved along in this story of Jesus. First, it is the miracle of Jesus’ birth, and then the flight into Egypt to escape King Herod. Then we witnessed Jesus as a 12-year-old boy visiting the temple and being questioned by the chief priests and temple leaders. This feels like the calm before the storms already brewing as we approach the Lenten and Easter seasons.
Maybe we should consider taking a moment to pull over. We may need to stop and consider what we are seeing. Or even what we cannot see. At times, the road signs seem to disappear all together. Sometimes the lines needed to keep ourselves on a safe path may be blurred by the pouring rain. That pouring rain being a world going too fast, pouring down on us with such force that we become blinded by fear and leery of taking another step forward.
First, Take a Breath
I believe that our world is exhausted. It is not only frightening to drive in a rainstorm, it is exhausting. Let me suggest something for this month. First, take a breath. Second, allow time for the heaviest part of the storm to pass. No one expects us to drive when we cannot see two feet in front of ourselves. That is dangerous for us and may put others in danger as well. Give yourself time to prepare for the difficult part of the journey. Keep your eyes on Jesus because he is both our destination and our guide. Finally, be open to sharing the ride with someone you love, someone you trust. A friend, a neighbor, or in my case almost always my wife.
Blessings on journey as we approach the Lenten season, and be kind!
Blessings In Christ,
Pastor Jeffrey Holter