April Showers Bring . . . February Back?

"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." 

Psalm 118:24

Unexpected chill. That's what this morning held for us here in Benton, Arkansas.  We were warned ahead of time that thunderstorms would assault the area, but were assured temperatures would remain warm. So much for forecasts; it's 44 degrees on April 11. Even I know that's cold for spring in Central Arkansas and it's only my third spring here.  I opened Jesus Calling, to April 11: "Be careful not to complain about anything, even the weather, since I am the Author of your circumstances."  Why shouldn't believers complain about the weather? Isn't that a God-given right - or at least a patriotic right? We're not to complain because complaining leads to discontent, and believers who trust God in all things are in training to be content, even when April showers re-introduce February to the area. 

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. . . " Philippians 4:11b

One of our first graders in choir last night was NOT content and she wanted the world to know it.  She wailed with loud moans and shed crocodile tears because it was time to stop making crafts in G.A.'s and go to choir.  Even though we were making coffee can drums in choir, she wanted THE OTHER crafts in THE OTHER room and never stopped looking back.  Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth barely describe her discontent. She used a marker to draw it:  a heart torn in two pieces with the caption "My hart is broken." Now that's discontent.

We, too, know how to put on a show when we don't get what we want, although we've learned to put on our shows with a little more finesse.  All the same, complaining promotes discontent. Discontent leads to anger and depression and this negativity assaults our co-laborers who just want to make a coffee can drum in peace.  Ironically, the complainer becomes the one complained about and the cycle continues.

Imagine a day without hearing a complaint come from our mouths.  Imagine a day filled with gratitude instead of discontent simply because  

"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." 
Psalm 118:24


Father, complaining is a sport down here.  It's second-nature to many of us.  Teach us to replace our complaints with gratitude. Teach us to receive the gifts in every circumstance, to find the blessing from the unexpected, to leave yesterday's comfort to see what You've stored up for us today. You are our Good God Who knows without fail what we need in the moment to make us more Christlike. We open our hearts gratefully to receive whatever - whoever- wherever that may be.
In the Name of Jesus, Who thanked the Father in all things

Windows May Not Be All They're Cracked Up To Be

There is no window in the office I share with Valarie.  We're getting our updates from those who come through: "It's sleeting;"  "It's snowing now;"  "Roads are slick;"  "Winds are picking up."  Both our husbands have called, "What's the plan if they let school out?"   "You might want to warm up the car before you leave for lunch - no, I'll just come get you."  A co-worker down the street just told me someone fishtailed by the courthouse.  Photos and warnings from local friends are popping up by the second on Facebook and it does look dangerous.  

"But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid.
     He began to sink.
          He cried out, “Lord! Save me!”
               Matthew 14:30
Slick - slippery - messy - wet - cold - icy - gray - dangerous, but we'd never know it in this heated, quiet coccoon of an office. We have an extra heater going and it's pretty much business as usual, except that we've heard what's out there.  We're like personnel on a submarine - hearing blips, but not seeing it for ourselves and there are two ways to look at our situation:

First, we're missing out on seeing the sleet and snow fall, and that's tough on me because I'm a decisive weather junkie.  I like to see sun shining brightly, rain raining down hard, and snow blowing in gusts.  Overcast, gray days that can't make up their minds what to do are my least favorite. I've walked down the hall to look out the window a couple of times just to enjoy the sight of sleet blowing across rooftops and roads, but when I get back to work, that scene slips out of mind.

Which brings up the second way to see our submarine situation. We're getting along just fine, accomplishing what we need to accomplish and forgetting the threats of the outside world.  Knowing me, a window would distract (weather's too pretty or too bad, etc.) and keep me guessing at which way today (and tomorrow) might go. The way things are, we'll work til quittin' time then deal with what's left of it instead of all the what ifs beforehand. 

"Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy He was looking forward to. Then He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

Scripture after scripture tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus and our spiritual ears sensitive to His Voice.  Speculating about waves of potential future problems only distracts us from what He calls us to do today, right now, this minute.  The Apostles counted the cost for the moment, not necessarily for their lifetimes or they might not have walked away from paying jobs.  When Gabriel announced God's plan to Mary, she allowed herself to speculate on how the immediate problem of pregnancy would be solved, not on the million of other potential worry points.

Windows are nice, but they may not be all they're cracked up to be if what we see through them brings more anxiety than joy.  Maybe this explains why God allows us only small windows when it comes to the future but large, day-sized windows as a rule. 

"Don’t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood." 
Philippians 4:6-7