And the wind continues to howl.

The weather in Ohio is quirky.  Today is the 10th day of January 2016, and we’re finally seeing our first snowfall of the winter season.

So.  Much. Different. Than. Yesterday.

Yesterday, the 9th of January 2016, Denise and I were traveling over to Norwalk for a church activity and spent the entire 45 minute drive talking about and enjoying the beautiful day we were having.  It was in the mid-50’s, sun was out in great abundance, crystal clear blue sky everywhere, light breeze in the air, and the birds of spring could be seen beginning to make their annual appearance.

Yesterday was best defined by sun glasses and t-shirts.

When the alarm went off this morning, things looked a bit different.  This morning started out with a cold rain, that quickly turned into a snow/ice mix by the time we arrived at church.  Definitely made for a messy morning.  Then by the time church was over it looked like we were somehow banished to spend the day in an out-of-control snow globe!

The 45 minute trip back home proved interesting.  It wasn’t that much snow was falling.  But when you add the madness of the northern Ohio wind, now that’s a different story.  Here is a picture that I took on the way home today.  Thankfully Denise was driving, or taking this picture could have proved interesting.  😉

This was by far the worst part of the journey home.  The heaviest of the snow was falling…the wind was stupid…and as you can see this road could have been cleaned just a bit more.

It didn’t last long in real time, but while you’re in the thick of something like this, it truly seems like forever.

Ten minutes on the other side of this micro-fury the snow stopped, the wind calmed, and the road cleared.  I figured that was a great opportunity to grab a sip of coffee, and pray that the remainder of the trip home would remain this smooth.

Then I glanced off on the right side of the road.  And there in that northern sky was a quick glimpse that the storm would be over soon.  For there in the sky was two distinct breaks in the clouds.  Two breaks that revealed that gorgeous crystal blue sky.  Two breaks that revealed what had never left in the first place, but, had been hidden by the temporary insanity caused by a passing disturbance in the atmosphere.

Such as it is, with life.

One day we’re cruising with the top down, sun glasses on, radio blaring, and all the problems life has to offer have been packed away and tossed into the deepest, darkest depths of the galaxy.  Forevermore gone.

Life is pretty good.

Then we wake up the next morning expecting to have a carbon copy of the day before and realize our whole world has been replaced with a dreary dome of darkness.  Quickly our focus has shifted.  The crystal blue sky has turned into clouds of pain…heartache.  Winds of desperation and depression rage uncontrollably.  And the road that we travel doesn’t look safe by any stretch of the measure.

If this is you, I just want to encourage you to remember that what seems like forever, in real time is only mere moments.  Don’t allow yourself to be consumed by the elements of the passing storm.  Know that Jesus has a plan for you, and He is always in control.

Tonight, the wind may still howl.  And you may feel scared and alone.  Defeated.  But tomorrow is a new day.  And when you face your day, don’t look at the storm.  Look for breaks in the clouds.

“Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  ~ Jesus  (Matthew 11:28)