MY SHRINKING WORLD

March 14, 2014

Our latest 12 inch addition to our snow pack took me back several weeks to our biggest storm of the new year – join me in My Shrinking World...

Lake effect storms seal our house in a shrink wrap of snow. The wind has plastered the snow over all the back windows, making a cozy igloo of my kitchen. This tends to make one a bit claustrophobic. The bathroom windows have been shielded in curtains of icicles – who needs privacy glazing? I'm so thankful the front windows are mostly clear so I can actually see what kind of weather we're getting! You know that claustrophobic feeling you an get in elevators?

For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Psalm 40:12

Apparently David knew the press of worldly troubles and confusion! He was on the run from King Saul for much of his early life. For me, it feels like my world is shrinking in on itself, isolating me from news and neighbors. It's easy for me to get caught up in household chores, as if they were the most important things in my life. I could probably keep busy all winter, locked in a prison of ice, with all the projects I have going.

But I doubt that God has such busy work in mind for me. I have to tear myself away from this icy cave and get back to the comfort and encouragement of His Word.

Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me...Be pleased to save me, Lord;

come quickly, Lord, to help me. Psalm 40:11 + 13

Suddenly my world opens up and I can breathe again!

Love as always, Elaine

A Fresh Start

A Fresh Start

March 3, 2014

January's deep freeze left us peering through heavy icicles onto a scene buried in white. What a relief to have a late February thaw bringing a tease of spring to come. Icicles came crashing down, releasing think ice dams to bury in the two foot drifts under the eaves. Bare ground began to appear in our driveway that Rich worked so hard to keep open and I could smell the scent of damp earth. Then several days of lake effect covered all in a 2 foot blanket of pristine white. It covered all the dirt and gravel thrown aside by the snow plows and once again the rusty leftover farm equipment and assorted trash of daily life was out of sight. The winds lift the snow into whipped cream drifts of dazzling white. We awaken each day to a clean tablecloth that God refreshed during the sub-zero nights.

In spite of the beauty winter is such a hardship to our many widows left alone to care for their property. Equipment breaks down, roofs start to leak, water pipes freeze and supplies run low. Driving conditions are so bad that help can be a long time coming. It's easy to get discouraged awaiting the spring that seems too long in coming. I am comforted each morning by His continued care, in spite of all the storms of life.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

As February wanes, you may, like many of us, have given up on your New Year's resolutions by now. But God's resolve never wavers or weakens. His plan is to refresh us each day.

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him" Lamentations 3:22-25.

Love as always, Elaine