Did someone say we're getting an ice storm??  

Weather reports are sounding a little scary if you've listened this 11th day of January.  The predicted forecast seems to be that tomorrow evening (Thursday) through Sunday there is a very good possibility for sleet, ice and very cold temperatures.  Well, we live at the top of a High Ridge small mountain and so are particularly paying attention - especially since two of us in this household have work schedules on that day.  We don't want to wait until it is terribly slick outside before we come home, knowing that if ice is the case, we won't be able to get to our house from the main road below.   So the words of the day are "plan" and "prepare"!  We have hiked the almost 1/2 mile trek from bottom to top more than once!  It's not my preferred activity to be sure - particularly when it is cold and slippery!

As much as we like to predict correctly how things will go so that we know just when to get our cars home, it is not always possible!  It seems that weather is not the only unpredictable thing in life!  It is not uncommon that un-calculated events take us by surprise.  Try as we might, we are not always prepared!  

There is a word that comes to mind when this happens...faith!  Often (and frankly, always) we are simply dealt a choice - to believe that God has our backs - or not.  The Bible states that faith is the evidence of things NOT seen!  In other words, there is a definite element of "I didn't see that coming" as we go through our journey here on earth!   I believe God has so designed life that way because He truly wants us to turn to Him and learn to lean into His outstretched arms.  And...like the weather, those unplanned and sometimes unpleasant experiences can catch us off guard to the point of desperation or utter shock.  

Our choice?  To believe God is God and that He is on our side regardless of the circumstances - or not.  I think that before the weather turns bad, I will choose to look in the face of the storm and declare that God has promised His love and grace in the time of need.  I pray that He will remind me to confidently continue in that declaration.  He, indeed, is the established Rock of ages.