Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6:3)
Here in the south—and in other parts of the US—we’re in the middle of a miserable dip in the thermometer. Last week the trees and flowers were in bloom, and the warm days made getting outside a treat. We’d even gone so far as to plan some warm-weather activities for this week. Then winter hit with a vengeance. The blossoms that were so lovely are frozen and wilted. All our plans are on hold because it’s just too miserable to be outside.
Sometimes life with a loved one in the military can feel like this.
The warmth of life as a family is blooming. We’re making plans and getting ready to enjoy a season together. Then come new orders and everything changes. The temperature seems to drop as we’re once again left with the cold reality of life apart.
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It’s during these times that we need to readjust and find joy in the moment—remembering that spring will come again. Here’s what we do when the weather doesn’t cooperate—literally or figuratively:
1. Build a fire and enjoy the warmth together.
Yes, the cold is all around, but we can store up some much-needed family time if we don’t give in to lamenting the fact of what’s to come.
2. Keep the plans but change the date.
Just like our outdoor plans that got waylaid by weather, an unexpected training or deployment requirement makes us readjust. Don’t cancel what’s planned. Instead move out the date but keep it on the calendar.
3. Remember the One in charge of the weather.
This unexpected bit of winter didn’t catch God by surprise. He’s still looking out for us and for those we love. We can rest in the fact that He’s never going to leave us and will bring back spring when it’s time.
Don’t let a change in life’s weather wreck your mood. Instead focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.
