So, what are you planning to be up to today? The snowfall, though considerably less than predicted – again, is enough to close schools and change plans. My Thursday groups and our GSRP Preschool are cancelled for today, and our office is closed.
Yesterday, though, worked out quite well for me. I had to drop off Monica at 12 Mile and Little Mack by 6:30 a.m. for her “bionic swap.” I joined our STL men as usual (a little late – also quite normal), did some office work, and we were home by 9:00 a.m. It started to snow here at 9:01. My plan, formed weeks ago, was to work remotely for the rest of the day – and I completed phase one of my project as hoped. The only hiccup was not getting to a funeral home visitation on Wednesday evening.
So what am I planning to be up to today? With my mind snowier than the weather outside, I almost forgot to write this (thank you, Monica). Had that been the case, I probably would have spent today apologizing. Instead I will either work on the final phase of yesterday’s project or do some things to prepare for Ash Wednesday on March 2.
All of this really wore me out last night, though I am not sure why watching it snow would wear anyone out. Maybe it is from watching the news coverage of weather and traffic (the reporters seemed soooo happy to have something different to report). Then again, it might be the Face Book pictures of children playing outside.
Any way one looks at it, I suspect you were expecting me to talk about something snowy today. I know in a similar situation in the past I wrote of the righteousness of Jesus covering us and making us beautiful – just like a fresh and snowy landscape. Today I am thinking more about using snowy days like these as “mental health” days.
Even though I will put in a pretty solid day today, the change of pace given by the snowy conditions and working from home will help my mental health. I hope this day will provide the same service to you. And how about we covenant together on not watching too closely how the weather conditions change?
While I doubt that Day Seven in the creation narrative was a snowy day, I do believe God rested on that day to model for us the need to rest. In the uniqueness of our creation, and as creatures living in this fallen world, we can get tired in many different ways – physically, mentally, emotionally. And each area affects the others. My physical exhaustion last night was caused by my mental fatigue. Last night’s sleep has helped immensely, but I also know (about myself) that today’s activities will just as critical.
Personally, I seldom find laying around watching TV all day to be restful or refreshing. Different settings to be productive …. different schedules … single tasking … intermingled with walks or other light activities … these are the kinds of things that freshen me. What are the things that you find remove the “snowy” conditions of your mind? A local radio personality likes to say, “Every day is a gift.” To this I will add, even (or especially?) snowy ones. As our Savior refreshes us, he enables us to echo the words of Ethan the Ezrahite, “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, ‘Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.’ You have said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’ Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones, for who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?” (Psalm 89.1-6)