“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.”
Carl Reiner
(these birds have not flown south, I’m trying / Julie Cook / 2018)
When the going gets cold and dreary…
The Cold and Dreary get going…as in they head south…
So for the weekend, I’m heading south…as far south as I can reasonably drive for the
extent of a weekend.
And if the truth be told, the only thing I asked for for Christmas was for a weekend away.
Remember, our’s is a life of one of retail—getting away for a weekend, at some point following the
dreaded black Friday unto Christmas shopping mayhem is the hoping for a weekend of peace and sanity.
And as we have a grandbaby due in two weeks…this was the weekend…snow, ice, tornados…
you name it, come hell or high water, away it was to be…
So during my very recent traveling southward, I passed a small country church that had a wonderful
sign posted out front:
“If your job depended on your prayers, would you still be employed?
That little obscure sign, in the middle of a lonely stretch of road in the middle of the
northern panhandle of Florida, gave me a wealth of wonderment to ponder as I drove onward…
Prayer…
We think we’re doing good, our prayerful due diligence, when we squeeze in our quick little
arrow prayers, those prayers which shoot upward throughout the day, yet leave out any real focused
and purposeful time spent in the presence of the One Omnipotent Creator…
Or… we squeeze in our designated 15 minutes each morning or evening…
Is it uninterrupted?
Is it hindered by falling asleep or by a ringing phone or a dinging text?
Communion.
“An act or instance of sharing.”
Do we spend time the time of communion with our Lord as we would want Him to spend with us…
I drove onward…wondering, hoping…and determining that time must be turned around…
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Great thoughts to ponder as you travel to warmer weather. I consider myself in a state of constant prayer. Not that I’m living a cloistered life, but I have finally achieved a point in my life when prayer is necessary every moment. Knowing that God is with me always is a good motivator. BTW I don’t think it’s wrong to pray for warmer weather or at least weather that makes sense for your location. And you are so right about the Spirit taking over when we don’t have the right words. Not only is God with us, He’s in us.
What a warming thought. I’m ready for spring too.
I have relied on Romans 8:26 for most of my life – even as a teenager. Enjoy your weekend away Julie!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Both of our boys were born early, and my mother-in-law had an ocean between us each time. First in Texas while she visited he family in Holland. Second in Germany when she was back in Texas. Hope the new born waits for your return.
Enjoy your travels and prayer time. Your prayers are heard by our wonderful and loving Father.
Blessings! May our Lord Jesus the Messiah himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Thank you Michael for such beautiful thougthts and prayers!!! You are a comfort in the storm!
Enjoy the break, and God bless.
Just even a weekend is welcomed as a battery recharger!!
Even your brief, passing thoughts inspire and encourage me! You are such an incredible writer and ponderer of all things, dear Julie! Love you! ❤
thank you sweet Lynn—a change of pace, albeit it breif, is most welcomed!
Have a nice time, Julie!
thanks Wally—we actually saw 65 degrees! Sure beats 35 for a high–but as we all know, storms are on the horizon—
Yeah, it got warm here too! About 65 yep. Some rain, but the most is yet to come. Stay dry and have fun Julie!
Bon voyage, have fun!
Saw an article the other day about a man who used a flame thrower to clear the snow from his driveway. I need one, that sounds awesome! I might even stay home to watch that show. Needless to say they were advising us “not to try this at home.” So try it at your neighbor’s home, just in case something goes wrong….. 🙂
IB, You crack me up—I love using a pressure washer, and I have considered just how I could get the hose through the closet window and into the bathroom–allowing me to pressure wash the shower—how awesome would that be?! Howver, my husband continues to discourage my thoughts—I just donn’t know why 😉
That could be hard on asphalt, concrete, nearby plants, and the neighbor’s kids and pets.
I’m thinking of the person who put out the sign never knowing it would be passed by a “Julie” – someone who would really consider it. And it is bearing fruit in Oklahoma in my heart, by stirring up to sit a bit of extra time with the Lord. Sometimes his spirit manifests itself in tears that I do not understand but I believe it is supported by your scripture, Romans 8:26. He could probably do so much more in our world if we lent our time to his control like this. Thanks, Julie.
It is really pretty amazing isn’t Oneat–God’s little signposts along my journey and what a blessing to know that I can inturn share those signposts!
Tears have always been considered a charism—or special blessing from God…
We are so blessed.
that we are–and some times it takes something very simple to remind us of just how fortunate we truly are….
““If your job depended on your prayers, would you still be employed?” What a convicting question!
I know—lots to think about in such a simple question!
Yep!
Love the post but I would say rehab snow is an enchanting and delilghtful freezing of water! But maybe that’s because we don’t often get it! 🙂 ❤ xoxoxoxoxo
If I was heading south, I would probably get as close to the equator as you are. My wife, however, has more ambition. She talks about the Texas Gulf Coast. In addition to be warmer, she remembers the five years we spent down there with our girls when they were little. Double incentive! Cold and sentimentality.
could be Texas bound Tom—I stick to my Florida Gulf Coast 🙂
I’m feeling sheepish…my prayers exactly. Quick little one-liners as I go about my busy day. I wouldn’t have a job if my prayers depended on it. Good wake-up call, thank you Julie:)
well, trust me Susan, you’re not the only one feeling a bit sheepish—it was a pretty good wake up call for me….!
I pray you are enjoying your trip…Amen to your post. Prayer one of God’s beautiful graces that is often not realized. Prayer was the subject of our Sunday School lesson today…may we hear the voice of our God!
I think He creates a longing in our hearts to be able to “communicate” deeply -,I pray to work to that goal!!
Blessings always!
Amen and Amen!
it was short and sweet—already back home…but the recharge, albeit brief, was needed! I’m glad Lent is about to be upon us as it will help me to foucs my time, thoughts and heart…as I look to the cross!!
Yes… sounds absolutely wonderful! 😊😊😊
😍