An Inconvenient Season

January in my part of the world is definitely inconvenient. There is a harsh, bitter, cold wind blowing and the temperatures are falling even more as I write. We moved into our "bigger house" in January with a -20 wind chill. We moved into this house a few years ago, just as December met January. We obviously have not always planned our house purchases wisely (do not ever let a Realtor tell you no one buys homes in mid-winter). :)

My circumstances have been inconvenient for awhile but I am here in my cozy, warm home slowly chipping away at long past due projects. I work quite a bit in the morning hours, do a little less in the early afternoon... and leave the late afternoons and evenings for contemplation, reading, and a little TV. Tomorrow I hope to answer long overdue e-mails.

We once again are facing a major health struggle, this time it is Christopher who must go to the hospital for some tests. He can use your prayers for healing as well as peace in the storm. This is also his first week of the second semester. He is taking Trig, Calculus (yes... at the same time), Advanced Chemistry, Computer Programming, and the second semester of his Physics class. Sickness and a possible surgery at this time is not convenient.

One of the many reasons I love good literature is how it helps me relate to the world around me. I think so often of the C. S. Lewis space trilogy and how our world is called The Silent Planet (Out of the Silent Planet is the first book in the trilogy). It is called The Silent Planet as it is the world where evil resides, man sinned, and the Maker of the Universe was killed by His creation... well, that is a Reader's Digest version. Those living on other planets do not discuss ours...

Here... in this Silent Planet in which we are pilgrims and sojourners, life is and always will be inconvenient. Stephanie agreed with me as I was asking her to pray for her brother... "there is always "something", isn't there?".

As I've been gaining renewed physical strength, I have enjoyed seeing the house return to a place of serenity as clutter is chipped away slowly. This morning I went through a box of papers and "stuff" whose contents have been a burden to me since November. I threw away that which is no longer important or... due to the passing of time... is no longer in need of a decision. I also took out all the Christmas cards and letters received since Thanksgiving.

As I read each card again and wrote a (much much belated thank you) to friends, I was seeing Christ in my life... ministering to me through people... answering not only needs but some heartfelt desires.

As the Ancients would build altars of Remembrance for God's provision... of the many times He entered into this realm in which we live to lead and help His Creation... I was able to build a mental altar to Him as I read cards, notes, letters, and later... e-mails.

Most of my necessary work for the day has finished, only one load of laundry in the dryer remains until it is time to begin dinner for that time when Christopher can pick up his dad from work. I will take advantage of the temporary quiet in the house to (finally) begin my time of study and pondering. I still haven't written that list of things I want to learn, yet.

I used to let inconvenient seasons in my life cause me to freeze in motion... stop what I had planned or what I wanted to do. Then, when I realized there are very few times in our lives when we are not facing some kind of inconvenience, life went on and I pushed through circumstances... depending on God's opening and shutting of doors, His leading, His provision, and His Grace.

If you think of it as you read, send up a prayer for healing for Christopher! Thank you. :)

Picture: Peaceful Evening by Robert Duncan; allposters.com