Our little convoy was making good time in the 20 degree winter weather. We were cruising down the country road, going 45 mph through the falling snow as we made our way towards the metropolis of Torrington, WY [pop 5,000 and change] for our Sunday AM service. And then we met a snowplow.
The truck and the SUV slipped and slid a bit as they turned to avoid the snowplow, but the minivan didn’t do so well. The slight turn to the side initiated a slide that left the minivan off the road and down a slight bank. 25 minutes later, the minivan emerged onto the road again, newly adorned with chains for traction. At this point, an executive decision was reached: the roads were very slick and retreat was sounded. All three cars negotiated u-turns in the middle of the icy road and started back. The entire trip took 2 hours, and we went nowhere! This was our experience of wild, wonderful Wyoming.
Our guest house near Prairie Center, WY is pretty much at the outer fringe of civilization. No internet or email, and only the AT&T cell phones get coverage here. But it’s a refreshing place. It’s great to be in the middle of nowhere, and look for miles without seeing but one house, a clump of trees in the distance, and nothing else man-made except for fences. It is good for the soul. It feels like the soul can expand and relax. The Lord is truly good to allow us these times to refresh and re-tool. There is much waiting for me when I return to Virginia Beach – but for now, I’m enjoying the wind, the drifting snow, and the time with my family. My God, please receive my thanks for this gift.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Granby St. Loading Zone
[from October 7, 2009]
The Granby St. loading zone, between City Hall Ave and Plume Ave, in the heart of downtown Norfolk, VA, is kind of an oasis in the desert for me. If I take a break during my work for FedEx, I can usually park in this loading zone that stretches for the entire block. It becomes my spot of quiet solitude in the midst of traffic lights, blaring horns, and bustling pedestrians. Sometimes I walk to the store and get a snack. Sometimes I sit and read or think. A week or so ago, I prepared my sermon on Romans 12:3-5. But today, I wasn't doing any of the above. I was crying as I thought about finding joy in the midst of suffering.
I was crying, thinking about how to find joy as I say good-bye to my sister Beth for (possibly) two years. Her plan is to leave this month for Central Asia. Of course, it's sad to say good-bye. Of course I will miss one of my best friends greatly. But what really weighs me down is the desire for joy in the midst of this departure. How can I be joyless, when Christ found joy in going to the cross? I have such a high view of myself, and such a low view of God's glory, that I am generally joyless. And joy cannot be manufactured! I pray that God helps me to get my eyes off myself, and onto his glory, so that I can rejoice in the fact that Beth can go to Central Asia for the glory of His name. So even though it is a sad time, I pray that in Christ I can find joy in the midst of tears. I also pray that God's glory and reputation become so GREAT in my sight that I can willingly 'offer up' Beth for his service - joyfully. 1 Peter 1:13
The Granby St. loading zone, between City Hall Ave and Plume Ave, in the heart of downtown Norfolk, VA, is kind of an oasis in the desert for me. If I take a break during my work for FedEx, I can usually park in this loading zone that stretches for the entire block. It becomes my spot of quiet solitude in the midst of traffic lights, blaring horns, and bustling pedestrians. Sometimes I walk to the store and get a snack. Sometimes I sit and read or think. A week or so ago, I prepared my sermon on Romans 12:3-5. But today, I wasn't doing any of the above. I was crying as I thought about finding joy in the midst of suffering.
I was crying, thinking about how to find joy as I say good-bye to my sister Beth for (possibly) two years. Her plan is to leave this month for Central Asia. Of course, it's sad to say good-bye. Of course I will miss one of my best friends greatly. But what really weighs me down is the desire for joy in the midst of this departure. How can I be joyless, when Christ found joy in going to the cross? I have such a high view of myself, and such a low view of God's glory, that I am generally joyless. And joy cannot be manufactured! I pray that God helps me to get my eyes off myself, and onto his glory, so that I can rejoice in the fact that Beth can go to Central Asia for the glory of His name. So even though it is a sad time, I pray that in Christ I can find joy in the midst of tears. I also pray that God's glory and reputation become so GREAT in my sight that I can willingly 'offer up' Beth for his service - joyfully. 1 Peter 1:13
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