A Toss Up

Penning this entry, I am very aware of the blanket of snow and ice covering the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.  As much as I like and enjoy cold weather, Mother Nature can keep this kind of weather all to herself.  Ha!  As a result of the horrific winter storm the area is experiencing, I have found it impossible to report to work.  Before the snow hit, I was already finding mobility difficult as bus drivers were not showing up to run their routes.  Last Saturday evening I had to improvise getting home as both the 9:45 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. buses were a no-show.  Thankfully I was able to catch another bus that dropped me off within a half-mile of the apartment.  The short hike back home was a cold one but could have been made worse if the wind had been whipping.  In addition, I gave the store manager of the liquor store advanced warning that Sunday's predicted snow storm already called into question my ability to report for the scheduled shift on Monday.  With phone lines down and the streets covered with dangerous conditions, I'm surprised anyone was able to find their way to the store.  I was finally able to reach someone at the store about mid-afternoon on Monday.  So far I haven't been able to reach anyone there today.  Humorously, I am thinking ill of the groundhog for seeing his shadow on February 2nd.  The winter season had been fairly mild up till last week, but now we seem to be paying for the comparatively nice weather.  In the midst of all the mess, I am counting my blessings: a wonderful apartment, central heat, warm clothes, food for my nourishment, and so much more.  Even considering how sky-high the electric bill will be, I am thankful for the provision God has made on my behalf.  The Great Shepard has always taken care of me through His blessings in spite of myself.  Regardless of what the future will look like, I am confident of the Lord's continued presence.  Worrying about tomorrow shows lack of faith and robs today of the peace and joy that are to be found in the Lover of our Souls.  Until the storm blows over, literally, I am trying to make the best use of the down time.  Yesterday was spent reading and resting to take advantage of the lack of internet.  I frequently thanked Father God for removing the digital distractions so I could focus on other, more important, issues.  If you're also homebound as a result of uncontrollable outside forces, use the time void of issues clamoring for our time and attention to seek God.  He is wanting to be found...seek Him with abandon.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Party on the Porch (Amon Carter Museum)

On Saturday, September 30th, I attended the annual Party on the Porch sponsored and hosted by the Amon Carter Museum.  I attended this function about twelve years ago with a friend and his family.  For whatever reason, the festivities fell off my radar till I saw a banner for it a few weeks prior.  Deciding it would be good for me to get out, even if it was alone, I requested a ticket and downloaded it to my phone.  The best part of the shin-dig was it's free of charge!  Yes, you read that correctly.  Both Party on the Porch and the Museum itself are funded by a perpetual trust established upon the death of Amon Carter himself.  (Take that, you other museums who charge an entrance fee!  Because of the lack of admission, I am able to frequent the art gallery as often as I can.)  Free parking for the event was available across the street at the surface lots of the Health Science Center.  (Another plus to showing up for the event.)  There were several people managing the entryway.  On
Read more

Seeking Closure!

Last week I was able to get away from the land of exile in order to visit and spend time with family.  Even though part of our plans for a trip to East Texas fell apart, I very much enjoyed spending three wonderful days with my mother in Yoakum.  During this time, as she still had to work her shifts at the church, I was able to scratch off quite a few items from the bucket list.  Many of these items have been on there for several years awaiting much-needed closure.  On top of the list, but really in no particular order, was to visit the Alchoholics Anonymous group in Victoria where I tried to get sober in 2004.  Even though I didn't recognize anyone in attendance, I did enjoy the time spent in fellowship.  Then a visit was made to Memory Gardens Cemetery where three acquaintances are interred.  One in particular, my friend Amy, was buried there in 2021.  Regretting not being able to attend her funeral services, I made every effort to locate her grave, along with the graves of her m
Read more

Reprieve from the War Front

** This is another letter from my father in Korea during the war of 1950-1953.  My intention in posting these letters is to capture the very personal side of war.  The letter is typed as written.  Any mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and etc. are intentional. 17-Oct-53 Dear Mom & Dad           I have just returned from a splendid seven days leave in Japan.  My seven days were filled with just about everything a person could want in a leave.  Steak, lobster, french fried potatoes, and onions, and many other fried foods.  The special service hotel at which I stayed is the most beautiful in Tokyo, Ga-Jo-En KANKO Hotel.  It is composed of three buildings connected by hallways, five stories high.  It has many facilities such as Grill, Bar, Cocktail Lounge, PX, Game Room, Barber Shop, Dining Room, Wrapping Service, and Dining Room, where meals are very cheap: 15 cent breakfast, 25 cent lunch, 45 cent supper.  The elevators of the Hotel are lined with mother-of-pearl formed into wa
Read more