Well, who would have thought after only one week of school we would be given another week off!? As I looked out my window Sunday night to absolutely no snow, I will admit that I thought school had been canceled a little prematurely. When I woke up entirely too early Monday to the terrifying sound of “thunder snow” and a complete winter wonderland, I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning! I could not wait to go out and play in it. Around noon my friend Katelyn texted to say her dad was going to venture out onto the treacherous roads to come rescue me and take me to her house where several of my other friends were. I was so excited until I found out her dad’s truck couldn’t even make it out of their driveway. Luckily, our friend Stanley was on his way over to her house and was able to stop and pick me up on his way. By the time all of the new arrivals showed up, there were almost fifteen people in Katelyn’s house!
Snowed in with all my friends for days was such a fabulous time. We played board games, snow games, card games, and more. I felt like a child again while visiting this house. My “mom away from home,” Mrs. Renee, spoiled us all with hot meals, a working fireplace, empty beds, air mattresses, and couches, and a box full of winter wear to keep us warm. Being away from my family is hard on me, but it is particularly difficult to be away during times like these – when all I wanted is to share the exceptional beauty of the winter weather and rare opportunity of no school and work for all with my mom, dad, brother, and sister.
As I enjoyed the delicious dinners Mrs. Renee prepared, laughing and spending precious time with my family of friends, I realized once again how thankful I am for the unbelievable people God has placed in my life. I am so grateful for a family like the Brooks family who, without any hesitation, was so willing to open their home (particularly their kitchen and empty beds) to a dozen teenagers and young adults for as long as needed. It certainly eases my worry to know that when I can’t be at home, I have a family here who loves and cares for me as much as my own do. God is so good to know and care about our needs. He knows how much I miss my family, and he provided me with people who will selflessly be that for me when I can’t be at home. Deep down, I knew I would be okay at my apartment this week. My roommate and I had everything that we needed to “survive” the storm. But the Lord saw what my heart yearned for, and he provided it for me. Matthew 6:31-34 says,
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isn’t that blessed encouragement? For those who, like me, worry incessantly and unnecessarily, this promise is a treasured jewel. In something as simple as a case of homesickness during winter weather, God showed his grace and glory. I am so thankful that through this snowy vacation I could be comforted and reminded of how good our God truly is.
I was also reminded this week of what a difference it can make when you take the opportunity to do nice things for other people. The Brooks family did not have to open their home to all of us, but they did so eagerly. Hebrews 13:16 says, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” What an example we received this week of that command being lived out to its full extent. Keeping up with a dozen teenagers and young adults for several days is an expensive, time consuming, messy, and noisy charge. I am so grateful that this family decided to “look not only to [their] own interests, but also to the interests of others” this week (Philippians 2:4). It would have been easy for them to enjoy a quiet and relaxing spontaneous vacation. Instead, they did what we all are called to do as followers of Christ - see a need and meet it.
The more I thought about this week, the more I had to question myself and the opportunities God has given me to help others that I have passed up because of the cost it would have meant for me. Maybe it doesn’t seem like much to anyone else for a family to open their home to a couple of kids for a few days…but to me, it meant something great. And that’s how it happens. God slips so many chances to be His hands and feet into our lives every single day, but we don’t always have our hearts open to receiving them. Instead, we wonder…what is this going to cost us? Time? Money? Popularity? I hear myself saying, “It’s not that big of a deal…they don’t really need my help.” The thing is, to that person in that situation, it is a big deal. Anything that God calls us to do is a big deal. Period. We have to answer. I encourage you to be more aware of and receptive to what God is calling you to be a part of. Don’t let the opportunities pass you by.
Snowed in with all my friends for days was such a fabulous time. We played board games, snow games, card games, and more. I felt like a child again while visiting this house. My “mom away from home,” Mrs. Renee, spoiled us all with hot meals, a working fireplace, empty beds, air mattresses, and couches, and a box full of winter wear to keep us warm. Being away from my family is hard on me, but it is particularly difficult to be away during times like these – when all I wanted is to share the exceptional beauty of the winter weather and rare opportunity of no school and work for all with my mom, dad, brother, and sister.
As I enjoyed the delicious dinners Mrs. Renee prepared, laughing and spending precious time with my family of friends, I realized once again how thankful I am for the unbelievable people God has placed in my life. I am so grateful for a family like the Brooks family who, without any hesitation, was so willing to open their home (particularly their kitchen and empty beds) to a dozen teenagers and young adults for as long as needed. It certainly eases my worry to know that when I can’t be at home, I have a family here who loves and cares for me as much as my own do. God is so good to know and care about our needs. He knows how much I miss my family, and he provided me with people who will selflessly be that for me when I can’t be at home. Deep down, I knew I would be okay at my apartment this week. My roommate and I had everything that we needed to “survive” the storm. But the Lord saw what my heart yearned for, and he provided it for me. Matthew 6:31-34 says,
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isn’t that blessed encouragement? For those who, like me, worry incessantly and unnecessarily, this promise is a treasured jewel. In something as simple as a case of homesickness during winter weather, God showed his grace and glory. I am so thankful that through this snowy vacation I could be comforted and reminded of how good our God truly is.
I was also reminded this week of what a difference it can make when you take the opportunity to do nice things for other people. The Brooks family did not have to open their home to all of us, but they did so eagerly. Hebrews 13:16 says, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” What an example we received this week of that command being lived out to its full extent. Keeping up with a dozen teenagers and young adults for several days is an expensive, time consuming, messy, and noisy charge. I am so grateful that this family decided to “look not only to [their] own interests, but also to the interests of others” this week (Philippians 2:4). It would have been easy for them to enjoy a quiet and relaxing spontaneous vacation. Instead, they did what we all are called to do as followers of Christ - see a need and meet it.
The more I thought about this week, the more I had to question myself and the opportunities God has given me to help others that I have passed up because of the cost it would have meant for me. Maybe it doesn’t seem like much to anyone else for a family to open their home to a couple of kids for a few days…but to me, it meant something great. And that’s how it happens. God slips so many chances to be His hands and feet into our lives every single day, but we don’t always have our hearts open to receiving them. Instead, we wonder…what is this going to cost us? Time? Money? Popularity? I hear myself saying, “It’s not that big of a deal…they don’t really need my help.” The thing is, to that person in that situation, it is a big deal. Anything that God calls us to do is a big deal. Period. We have to answer. I encourage you to be more aware of and receptive to what God is calling you to be a part of. Don’t let the opportunities pass you by.
Comments
Post a Comment