Another Day: Let It Show
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Another day,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I did. And it did.
I let it snow Sunday afternoon, Sunday evening, Sunday night, Monday morning. And the small, cold, white friends-I-rarely-see came in various shapes and continued dropping, landing, and staying on the Georgia land. I let it. And it did.
But think about those words. Could I stop the snow from coming for a visit? As I glance out the window now while typing, the falling flakes did their work on their own. I was an observer, unable to stop it. The snow came without me signing an agreement to let it snow, let it snow, let is snow.
Did I have any role at all as a participant in the weather? In the precipitation, no. In my response of participation, yes.
The life of a spoiled American faced conflict when the power stayed off for 24 hours. Debbie and I did not enjoy the moments of being unable to drive up a small hill to return home and enjoy the snow. A techno-addict struggled during a day without email, a day when cell phones failed to stay awake and IMs went nowhere. A little heat would have been nice when coming back inside after tossing snow balls and walking through our own Narnia in the winter.
Instead of complaining about those issues, though, we chose to enjoy. Snow - not too much like my northern friends, but just enough. Snow - a stranger during my many years in Florida, but now a surprising visitor. Snow - a reminder of our Creator's creativity, a realization of power far beyond our control, a rest among beauty.
I giggled like a kid. I stared at a snowman and remembered Mama. I prayed a few Psalms while walking and feeling snow covering me as an outfit I could never purchase in a store. I enjoyed moments with family and friends. I ate the breakfast a friend brought our way. I loved a dinner with neighbors.
So many times we fail to let interruptions motivate us to notice what we frequently ignore. Letting it snow wasn't my choice. Enjoying the snow and the people I would not have spoken to if the day had been normal - that was my choice.
And that is where I'll end. Think about the people. In our hurry and our hustle, we fail to see them when they're beside us. We should let some type of snow fall and stop our addiction to ignoring people.
I'll try to do better. I'll also begin introducing you to a few friends. The Another Day devo-blogs will become interviews so you can hit pause for a moment and meet someone.
When meeting them through a story, giggle and stare and notice and pray. Pause and welcome. And let it show you more of yourself and your Creator. In the snow or sunshine or painful storms, let a friend show you more of life.
Learn. And let it show.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Peaceful Suggestion: As a gift to yourself, try this: next time someone asks for your time, put aside whatever multitasking you are doing and just be fully engaged with them for five minutes. Look them in the eye, really listen. (Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity, Keri Wyatt Kent, Zondervan, 2009)
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Another day,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I did. And it did.
I let it snow Sunday afternoon, Sunday evening, Sunday night, Monday morning. And the small, cold, white friends-I-rarely-see came in various shapes and continued dropping, landing, and staying on the Georgia land. I let it. And it did.
But think about those words. Could I stop the snow from coming for a visit? As I glance out the window now while typing, the falling flakes did their work on their own. I was an observer, unable to stop it. The snow came without me signing an agreement to let it snow, let it snow, let is snow.
Did I have any role at all as a participant in the weather? In the precipitation, no. In my response of participation, yes.
The life of a spoiled American faced conflict when the power stayed off for 24 hours. Debbie and I did not enjoy the moments of being unable to drive up a small hill to return home and enjoy the snow. A techno-addict struggled during a day without email, a day when cell phones failed to stay awake and IMs went nowhere. A little heat would have been nice when coming back inside after tossing snow balls and walking through our own Narnia in the winter.
Instead of complaining about those issues, though, we chose to enjoy. Snow - not too much like my northern friends, but just enough. Snow - a stranger during my many years in Florida, but now a surprising visitor. Snow - a reminder of our Creator's creativity, a realization of power far beyond our control, a rest among beauty.
I giggled like a kid. I stared at a snowman and remembered Mama. I prayed a few Psalms while walking and feeling snow covering me as an outfit I could never purchase in a store. I enjoyed moments with family and friends. I ate the breakfast a friend brought our way. I loved a dinner with neighbors.
So many times we fail to let interruptions motivate us to notice what we frequently ignore. Letting it snow wasn't my choice. Enjoying the snow and the people I would not have spoken to if the day had been normal - that was my choice.
And that is where I'll end. Think about the people. In our hurry and our hustle, we fail to see them when they're beside us. We should let some type of snow fall and stop our addiction to ignoring people.
I'll try to do better. I'll also begin introducing you to a few friends. The Another Day devo-blogs will become interviews so you can hit pause for a moment and meet someone.
When meeting them through a story, giggle and stare and notice and pray. Pause and welcome. And let it show you more of yourself and your Creator. In the snow or sunshine or painful storms, let a friend show you more of life.
Learn. And let it show.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Peaceful Suggestion: As a gift to yourself, try this: next time someone asks for your time, put aside whatever multitasking you are doing and just be fully engaged with them for five minutes. Look them in the eye, really listen. (Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity, Keri Wyatt Kent, Zondervan, 2009)
10 Comments:
Chris, great thoughts - even though I live in Florida and can't relate to the snow...thank God. Thanks for your insightful words.
Chris this captures the way of Life, as well the weather.It's hard for me to recall that all is in The Lords timing.Like the weather we don't have control over the timing of things.Other People, Companies and things are controlled by others. I ask for forgiveness that I sometime try and plan things.The Lord's way is always better,it just takes my hardhead awhile to recall this .My Grandmother used to ask if We knew what they did in Germany when it rained.We would answer differnt things. Then she would say the only thing they could do is let it rain.A lesson in life,weather and God.I am just grateful my Life is in His Hands.Let it snow and enjoy Chris.
so, that's why you left us in FL, right? hey, max, glad you're enjoying life. we miss u!
I always try to do too much on my own. Or I blame myself for stuff thats out of my control. Hard to move behond that. Thanks, my friend. Good quote 2. I need to get that book. Wanting you to write a new one soon also!
A.C.
Do you know the significance of this day? 03/03/09. Interesting stuff.
Hey You,
Just read your Another Day. I grew up with snow. Haven't seen it in years. I miss it. Would like to see it just once in a while. Wouldn't want to drive in it. Don't know how.
But, it's always good to stop and smell the roses. Oh, that's spring, not winter. We all need to pause our busy lives not matter what season. Make it a great day!
JP
Thanks for the truth you wrote on that. Blessings to you and your family.
I'm not a fan of snow at all (I grew up near Snowshoe Mountain) But you put anew twist to it for me. Thanks!
Yes. The Weather Maker has a way of interupting are previously scheduled programing. Glad you paused (and paused, and paused)to enjoy the moment.
Chris,
I love this. How true. It reminds me of the sobering words-- "redeem the time". I don't want to miss the opportunities God sends my way. Thanks.
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