Today is day four. The snow started falling Sunday afternoon and continued through Monday morning. Mixed in was a fairly thick layer of ice. I had tested our generator but thankfully our area didn’t get hit with power outages. Still, the snow and ice have completely changed my daily routine. There are major hills on every route out of our neighborhood, so we haven’t been out much. I can do a lot of my work from home when necessary, which is helpful during a winter storm.
My typical weekday starts with a run before dawn. Due to road conditions in our neighborhood, that has been replaced with afternoon treadmill sessions (the machine is located in a room adjacent to my daughters’ bedrooms and they wouldn’t appreciate the noise of my 175-pound frame running at 5 a.m.). Two days a week I do strength training in the garage. That has been replaced by snow removal workouts. That layer of ice is no joke. Clearing off two cars and a fairly large suburban driveway had to be broken up into three sessions over 2 days. I also cleared a section of sidewalk at the church this morning. My body has received thorough workouts without lifting a dumbbell.
I’ve stayed awake later in the evenings knowing I’m not going to get up for an early morning workout. After the coffee brews, I spend time with God in prayer and then in His Word. During a normal week, the time I have between my early workout and leaving for the office is a bit more rushed. The slower morning pace has been a nice change.
Also, I have started reading from a Bible called the Immerse Messiah Bible. The text is the New Living Translation which I normally read from, but there are differences that have caused me to see the Scriptures in a new light. Instead of wading through chapter and verse numbers, section headings and cross references, I’ve been able to focus on the content of Luke’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus without distraction. I started reading it last week, but the change in routine this week is just what I needed to really embrace it.
The teachings of Jesus seem more unified without the additions of chapters, verses and headings. And I have been challenged as God has showed me once again that following Jesus requires letting go of my own selfish desires and spending more time on the well-being of those around me … especially those who are in need of help. It’s easy to say you believe, but much more challenging to follow through with living out what Jesus actually teaches.
I do miss my routine. And yet, I realize that for me, this winter storm has been a gift from God to experience a different rhythm of life. Rather than be frustrated that I can’t do what I’m used to, I’m trying to see this week as an opportunity to grow closer to Him.
What has He shown you this week? You’re invited to share in the comments.
Dan Londeree 