"Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem;
loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter Zion!" - Isaiah 52:2
Dear Friends in Christ -
Another snow day?! I can hardly believe it! In the 14 years that my husband and I have lived in Connecticut, we've never seen weather like this. Intense. Unpredictable. Treacherous. Beautiful.
A friend of mine said that the problem with so many snow days is that it throws off all her rhythms. How true!
When we're thrown out of our regular rhythms, though, there's opportunity for fresh new things. So on this snow day, instead of completely letting the grey-day doldrums or the honey-it's-your-turn-to-yell-at-the-kids blues take hold, try one of these TEN WAYS TO PRAY ON A SNOW DAY . . .
10. Cry out "HELP". In a moment of frustration or anxiety, it sometimes feels good just to shout out loud to God.
9. Create. People of any age can make a collage out of magazine photos or pick up a box of crayons and sketch the view out the window. Don't feel creative? Remember you're made in the image of the One who created the universe, and you CAN make something, just for fun.
8. Dance. In your living room, just move to whatever music you love. Today, there's not even anyone passing by to see you through your window. Move your body in thanksgiving for having body parts that work.
7. Read. Anything that inspires you is appropriate. Whether it's the Science section of the NYTimes or a chapter of a biography about a sports hero you admire. Reading allows your spirit to be revived - and that's prayer for yourself.
6. Breathe. When we're stuck indoors and still for a long time, we don't breathe in deeply enough for oxygen to fill us, and we can start feeling droopy or depressed. Breath in deeply in thanksgiving for all the ways God provides for us, including the very air we breathe.
5. Sing - or listen to someone singing. Music stirs the soul and connects us with beauty. Noticing beauty leads us to gratitude to the One who sang everything into being.
4. Eat. Slowly. This is one of the few days when no one needs to go anywhere, so there's no need to rush. Take time to enjoy the things you usually don't have time to notice. And give thanks.
3. Hug. Hug your kids. Hug your spouse. Hug your cat. When we're all stuck indoors, it's easy to get on each others' nerves. Make it your goal to hug everyone near you today. Offering that blessing of connection to those you love is a prayer.
2. Laugh. Turn off the news; there's nothing funny going on there (except the repetitious shots of silly drivers sliding into ditches - and that's not really very funny). Instead, find some cartoons to look at or call someone and share a joke over the phone.
1. Light a candle. "The light shines in the darkness . . ." And the grey-ness too. A flickering candle warms the room. As the flame reaches toward the heavens, tell God about something you hope for . . . Spring, perhaps?!
Though today we are captive in our homes due to the whims of the weather, we are free to connect with each other (through the internet!) and with our good Lord in prayer . . . God is good - all the time. All the time - God is good.
Faithfully,
Janet+
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