Are You Weighed Down by Life's Snow?

Last week brought the first snow of the season in beautiful Oswego County, New York. If you aren't familiar with snow, there are different kinds. Some snowflakes fall light and fluffy and you find yourself (regardless of age) walking around with your tongue sticking out of your mouth trying to catch the snowflakes. Then there is the fast, furious, and heavy snow. This is the type that brings your diving speed to a minimum and snow clean up, a challenge. 

The situations in our life are like CNY snow falls. Sometimes they are light and fluffy and other times, they are fast, furious, and heavy. As I looked at my beautiful smoking bush last week, a frown curled on my face. I spoke, "Oh, poor baby, it'll be okay. The snow will melt soon. Hang on.", and smiled. My daughter chuckled because I was talking to my plants again and this triggered a conversation of why it's okay to encourage plants, they are living things after all.  It wasn't the silly conversation about the importance or value in talking to plants I want to share with you though, it's the likeness of this plant and us. There are a couple different levels to look at it.

The first I already mentioned, life's situations, good and bad, are the snow in our lives. Sometimes it weighs us down and other times, we are able to keep our branches high and brilliant in the Sonshine. 

A commonality is our roots, when rooted in a relationship with Jesus, it's easier to shine and it's easier to endure the weight of the snow. Why? Because Jesus is in, and with us, through it all. When will the snow melt? When will the clouds pass so the sun can shine once again? I can't answer these questions but there are words of wisdom about this, and its application to our lives. The Bible reminds us that God isn't "slow" in answering our prayers, it's just in His timing, not ours. 

Like you, there are days I throw my hands in the air and ask, "Why God, why?" When God, When?" yet I know He is listening. When we talk with God, this is prayer. How many of you have been praying daily and didn't even realize it? I don't know when God will answer my prayers, or how He will do it but I know one thing for sure...God answers prayers in His time, in His ways, and for His good. I need only be patient, wait, hope, and move forward in faith.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, 
but that all should reach repentance.
Wait for the Lord and keep his way, 
and he will exalt you to inherit the land…
2 Peter 3:9; Psalm 37:34a ESV

Are you focused on your timeline 
or trusting God as you wait?