The weather in this part of Ohio has been unusually warm for this time of year. Normally we experience temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s with various amounts of snow and wind. But this week brought open windows and fresh air, culminating with a day of sunshine and 70 degrees. People couldn’t help slipping into t-shirts and heading outside. Spirits lifted as the gray days of winter seemed to fade away. Unfortunately, the temperatures dropped and the winds picked up overnight, and flying by my window right now I see snow. It can be a little discouraging to feel spring so close only to have it snatched right back. But guess what? As the wind sways the trees and snow sprinkles my landscaping, peeking out of the soil is a spring flower. Do you know it’s name? It’s called hope.
Our lives can tell a similar tale. Sometimes all we see around us is the wind and the cold, but trust this, hope is nearby. “And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor.” (Job 11:18-19) We don’t have to fret and pace when things around us look bad. Instead, we can trust God is planning to come and help. Psalm 62:5, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” Be brave and hold fast, because this season is going to end. “I believe that I shall look upon the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27: 13-14) Despite what it’s front of you, stand strong. And regardless of the lingering days of winter, keep hoping, because spring is sneaking up everywhere.
One of my closest friends just retired this week from the United States Army. Her career started as an inexperienced Second Lieutenant and peaked as a Colonel, and reflecting on its entirety, I couldn’t be more proud. Her combat boots saw action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia. In the United States, those boots touched numerous military bases, including the headquarters of the Department of Defense, the Pentagon itself. But as of this week, her life is about to change. Drastically. She must have dozens of questions: What will I do? Where will I go? What’s next?
Some time ago I flew to Texas to support a family I loved during a heart-wrenching time of trial. Struggling in the last days of his life was a husband, a father, and a friend. His loved ones faced the crisis in different ways: flat-out denial, avoidance, or quiet acceptance with inner turmoil. I tried to balance my time meeting the needs of everyone involved, including my friend who was in his final days. It wasn’t easy, but the prayers of many friends kept me upright. Flying home after that experience, I was weary and exhausted. I told God I had nothing left to give, and I was ready for the peace and rest of Heaven. Immediately I looked out the window and filling the sky was a massive, gorgeous rainbow. Moved to tears, deep inside me I felt these words, “It’s not your time. You have so many promises in front of you.”
Recently, I had the opportunity to paint an accent wall in a teenager’s room with a chevron design (think Charlie Brown’s t-shirt, with pink and gray for the colors). On another wall I painted Disney quotes, which brought to mind that sometimes we need to change our outlook on life. A few of the phrases were, “…because hakuna matata (translation: ‘no worries…’) and the bear necessities will always be our guide…” My personal favorite was “We believe in happy endings.” Although these lines are from Disney movies, they carry a good message.
When my large family celebrates Christmas together, we generate alot of trash. After the gifts are opened, the living room looks like a hurricane came through. There are boxes, paper, cardboard, and tissue paper strewn all over the floor, chairs, and sometimes on people (mostly from my brothers throwing paper ‘bombs’ at me). Don’t get me started on the kitchen, as food is consumed at a rapid rate and the trash can gets filled and the bag replaced repeatedly throughout the day. When the parties are over and the last eggroll is eaten, we sort the things we recycle from the things we call trash. Either way, it all gets hauled out.
One year, my family took a vacation to Lake Tahoe. We lugged a variety of suitcases and backpacks through the airport to check-in. As we stood in the long line waiting, we watched as dozens of bags were weighed, identifications shown, and seat assignments given. When we finally got to the front of the line, they weighed my sister-in-law’s bag and discovered it was too heavy to meet the weight requirements. So right there in front of everyone she had to open her luggage and lighten the load. Digging through well-packed clothes, carefully placed shoes, and strategically placed accessories, she decided what items would be left behind. Quite frankly, she really wanted to take it all with her.
None of us like to be kept waiting. We are easily frustrated by long check out lines, slow traffic patterns, and even the popcorn we just put in the microwave seems to takes too long. But there’s a group of people who know a little something about waiting: American farmers. They prepare the land, sow the seed, irrigate, fertilize, and then patiently wait. I know a few farmers and I’ve never seen one try to make it rain, (but I would absolutely video tape it if they did). Farmers know what to do to get good results: work hard every day, put in a FULL day, use techniques to ensure success, then step back and wait for the harvest. From Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Let’s face it, farmers know how to wait.
For my mom’s 60th birthday, I wanted to do something really special for her so I decided to sew her a quilt. There was only one small glitch in my lofty plan: I didn’t know how to sew. Luckily, I knew someone who did. The Family and Consumer Science Teacher (Home Ec to me), was an expert. She opened her classroom for sewing nights and patiently taught me each step. Quilters seem to have their own foreign language. When I heard ‘Stitch in the ditch” I thought it was a reference to where I should throw the pitiful-looking thing I was making. My early work was not impressive! Sometimes I’d look at those frayed squares and crooked stitches and doubt that it was going to develop into something worth making. The waiting for a completed project seemed endless. Yet surprisingly, little by little, something quite lovely began to take shape. And finally, the completed work became a beautiful and treasured gift.
I’m an Ohio State Buckeye fan, (say it with me now “O-H-I-O”). When you’re a Buckeye fan, your expectations stay high. Each game we get to see a strategic plan unfolding, observe an energy radiating from players on the field, and witness incredible displays of athleticism, (“Did you see that catch?”). I can’t help but think about the 2011 game against Wisconsin that looked like OSU was letting a win slip away. His team down 26-29, a minute and 10 seconds left on the clock, quarterback Braxton Miller winks at his coach and says, “We’re all right.” He was anticipating that something good was about to happen. And it did! Miller stepped onto the field and with 20 seconds left on the clock, threw a 40 yard touchdown pass to win the game.
I’m a Cleveland Browns fan. On most Sunday afternoons my tv will be tuned into the game. But sometimes when the game gets frustrating, a nap sounds like a good alternative option. But my mom and niece Dawn are diehard fans. Here’s proof: One year they got tickets to go to a Steelers vs. Browns game, at Heinz Field. It was one of those Sunday afternoons when the snow is falling relentlessly in a blizzard-type atmosphere and anyone even thinking of going to a game should have their head examined. Yet Dawn and mom bundled up and covered all those layers with Brown’s coats, hats, and scarves. As they boarded the downtown Pittsburg bus the place was packed with Steeler fans. And every single one went silent when they saw the audacity of two orange and brown-dressed fans. (Pause for awkward silence…) Then finally the words, “Brown’s fans sit in the back.” Can anyone relate to this? Are you the fan that will cheer for your team even if the odds are stacked against you?