Oh…the weather outside was frightful.
The weatherman said the high was -10, and the low -19. The newspapers were full with warnings:
Stay home .
Only go out if you absolutely must.
Open the water taps to a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing .
Grocery stores had lines backed up down the shopping aisles. No one wanted to be caught short. Lines at gas stations snaked to the street; drivers topping off tanks to ward off starting problems.
In other words, we all knew what to do to be prepared. I can’t control the weather, but I can be ready to meet any challenges that come. Arming myself with the right information and the right tools, I’ll be just fine.
Spiritual Weather Report
All this preparation got me thinking. It’s really a good example of how to prepare for my day-to-day life, living in a relationship with the Lord.
I never really know what the next twenty-four hours is going to bring. I make my plans and lists, but as we all know, man makes his plans and God does too. Sometimes they don’t match up.
So I’m never sure if this day will contain a breeze, or a storm. One morning might start out with a phone call asking for my help. I might walk to the car and be greeted by a flat tire.
These situations tell me that my ‘to-do list’ has some entries I didn’t expect. The day just got a little more challenging.
What’s going to keep me calm and ready to weather whatever God asks of me? And not only just endure his will, but to flourish in it?
Just as I prepared to ride out any cold weather, I can prepare myself to rise to the work that God has lovingly prepared for me to accomplish today.
Prepare with Prayer
The only thing that I need to survive and thrive is grace. Grace is the free gift of power God gives to his people to reach beyond themselves, and do his work in this world. It’s like I am a cell phone, and my power is on ‘one bar’. I need to plug in to my power source to be filled and ready.
That power source? It’s prayer.
Spending time with the Lord in prayer is the best way to repower. With the infusion of grace given in prayer, I can be ready for anything.
Finish With a Flourish
St. John quotes Jesus in his Gospel as saying “Cut off from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Well, I don’t want to do ‘nothing.’ I want to get in there and meet the challenges and storms of today with the strength that comes from God.
And that is absolutely possible, when I am fortified with grace.
So no matter what the weather today; breezes and sunshine, or hurricanes and clouds, I can “do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
The Lord has some special plans for me today. I want to meet those plans with joy, and carry them out with all I’ve got. Then I won’t be doing ‘nothing.’
I’ll really be ‘something!’
Linking today with: Wednesday Prayer Girls and Three Word Wednesday
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Great perspective and words. Glad to connect
Hi Angie! So nice to meet you today through the blog-hop
I’m glad you liked the post today. It’s snowing here again today, and it was 6 degrees this morning. What a winter!
Have a blessed day,
Ceil
Mom,
How so very true! I had so many plans while you were here, such as shopping together, cleaning off that dining room table, and cleaning Izzy’s room, to name a few. But God had other plans when he gave us bad weather and a constantly fussy newborn. I couldn’t have managed both gracefully without your help and breaks. I think God was telling me to slow down and cherish the 1:1 time I get to spend with my children, and you with your grandchildren. What a blessing! Like you mentioned, we become so task oriented we sometimes forget to “stop and smell the roses.” But God knows this, and that’s why he send us mandatory time-outs, like snow days!
Love you and love reading these!
Hi Dear! I can’t tell you how fun this is! I love seeing your comments.
I like your idea of ‘mandatory time-outs’. Hmmm…maybe I’ll do a blog post on that! (You have to watch everything you say around me!) Thank you for telling me how much you appreciated my stay with you, that was so kind. Mom’s never know if they are being gracious or a pain sometimes.
Yes, God has a way of leading us to what he wants, and he wanted us right in there with the girls, and it was fun. You are so right. Living moment to moment with the Lord is the way to go.
Hope today is better for you, and Baby Ellie decides sleeping is a good idea! I know I do
Mom
Hi Ceil,
Two of the first scriptures the Lord spoke to me after becoming born again of His Spirit were ‘Take no thought for tomorrow’, and ‘Many are the plans of a man’s mind but the Lord directs his path’ I just love leaving things to the Lord, and I have to say that I don’t think there is a waking hour in my life where He is not in my thoughts.
God bless
Hi Brenda! What a witness to your listening ear…and beautiful Scriptures too. The fact that you love ‘leaving things to the Lord’ is such a blessing. And it gives so much peace too.
I hope I can be more like you, in your dedication to the Lord and in your ready Spirit. Thank you for being a leader for me today.
It’s always such a pleasure to see you, Brenda. Have a wonderful day in his loving presence.
Ceil
Brenda,
Had to chime in here, because “Take no thought for the morrow was one “of first scriptures the Lord spoke to me after becoming born again of His Spirit” too—and He gave me some major living lessons in it at the same time, showing me how dependable His is when I depend on Him!
At last, I’ve managed to locate your website. Technical problems at my end … the computer was not switched on.
I’m glad you’re back Blogging. Hope you had a nice vacation. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Here in the UK the weather has been very cold and wet. Not as bad as you describe above. Whenever we have a sprinkling of snow the whole country grinds to a halt. The railways always stop the trains due to shortage of staff. I can’t see why they can’t employ taller people.
It’s the same when I go to the ballet. The dancers are always on tip-toe. Taller dancers would soon solve the problem.
Anyway, better get off my high horse before I fall off.
Hope you and yours are all well.
God bless.
Hi Victor! It’s so great to be back in contact my friend. How you make me laugh
I am still chuckling over the post I read yesterday.
Thank you for your wishes for the New Year. Same to you! It was a busy break, and as I told someone else, I might need a break because of my break! But the new home here is great, and I’m getting more and more used to the platform.
Today it’s snowing (again) and it’s about 6 degrees. Erg. Enjoy your mild weather, because this is getting old. We’ve had quite a snowy and cold season.
Have a great day, and thank you for your visit!
Ceil
Wow Ceil…this is a great post. I really try to catch myself when everything is going “great”…first to be thankful, but mostly to keep in mind that on any given day a storm can be brewing. Sometimes I feel it coming but have had many, many that just blow up out of nowhere and take me completely off guard! Thank the Lord for His awesome grace and peace…always there to help us weather life’s storms!
Hi Debby! Boy, I can really relate to the ‘blow up out of nowhere’ that’s for sure. I think I can be surprised almost daily at the plan the Lord had for me, and I had no clue!
I join you in your prayer to thank God for his grace, where would I be without it? Not by my strength, but by his alone… And I think being thankful is such a powerful prayer. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Ceil
What a great post about prayer. I couldn’t live with out my daily talks with God. Thanks. Enjoy your Wednesday and do stay warm and safe in all the cold wintry weather!
Hi Deb! Thank you for your comment about the post, and what a beautiful witness to prayer you are. “I couldn’t live without my daily talks with God.” I love that!
It’s cold again, and some snow down already. Yuck. I’d rather be in Arizona today torching weeds! Oh well, I have coffee and a warm heart, so that will help
Blessings to you my friend,
Ceil
Prayer definitely is a source of power as we walk through our daily lives. I especially liked the way you expressed about our “to do” lists being altered. At one time it would through me into a fit of despair…until I realized that I needed to allow Him to order my steps. Thank you, Ceil, for the reminder of how important prayer is in the life of a Believer.
Hi Dianna! I still do get frustrated at times with changes in the day I think I have perfectly planned. How silly!
I was talking to a man who said that his wife’s cancer had changed his whole perspective on problems. Annoyances just didn’t bother him anymore, he knows what’s important now. Isn’t that beautiful?
Let’s always stay in prayer, under his protection. Amen!
Happy Wednesday
Ceil
Great reminder, Ceil!
Hi Linda! Thank you! I know you have a wonderful connection with the Lord. And you know all about interrupted plans too
Peace,
Ceil
100% correct my dear friend! Oh how I have missed you & your lovely uplifting posts. Thank you..have a Blessed day.
Hi Linda! I’m so glad you liked the post today, and could relate so well to it. Prayer is just so important, and I don’t know why I get away from it from time to time. These posts are such a good reminder for me too, that’s for sure.
You have a blessed day too my friend
Ceil
Well said, Ceil! We all need the power of God to live for Him. It’s time we prepared for the spiritual weather of our lives as well as the physical.
Hi Pam! We sure do need the Lord to share his power in grace, I would just be lost without it. And that’s just the good times!
Let’s prepare for all kinds of ‘weather’ by praying and moving ahead into his plan for us this day. Sounds like fun
Thank you for visiting today Pam, I always love to see your smiling face
Ceil
No, I can’t do anything with Him. Believe me I have tried! “Mandatory time out” ! Some days I wish I could go to time out…
I have been praying lately that when God “adjusts” my to-do list, that I don’t react in the flesh but that I more calmly deal with what He has given me. Through the month of December I noticed that I “over” reacted to a few things and I am sure it didn’t reflect well on my walk with Him. I am spending more time in Spiritual preparation!
Great Post Ceil!
Hi Monica! Oh boy, do you need a mandatory time out? (That really was a great image, wasn’t it?) I remember a quote about how the Lord gives so much to those he trusts. The response was “I wish he didn’t trust me so much!”
I think the Lord trusts you a lot, Monica. And isn’t just human nature to get overwhelmed sometimes? I don’t think it’s held against us, as long as we learn from it and move forward. I love the idea of spending time in ‘Spiritual Preparation’. That’s prayer for sure! I’m confident that the Father loves you for that.
God bless you today my friend!
Ceil
What a great analogy, Ceil. I can stay warm (relatively anyway) outside in the cold if I prepare ahead of time. So I have no excuse not to prepare through prayer for spiritual storms. I want it to be as natural as getting dressed for the day. Thanks for sharing this. Glad you’ve got your blog going so well. Looks good!
Hi Lisa! Thanks for your comment about the blog Lisa. It was fun and nerve wracking all at the same time. I’m still figuring out this and that, but I’m sure eventually I’ll feel at ease.
I like your example of prayer being like ‘getting dressed for the day’. You’ve got to get dressed, just like you’ve got to pray. That’s really a good image.
We are staying warm here! I think the high was 12 degrees today. My gas bill is a little steamy, but what can you do? God has given me a lovely, warm home and I will enjoy it
May God bless you my friend,
Ceil
Dear Ceil
Yes, this is so true. Without our Lord we can do nothing for in Him we live and move and have our being. We can make plans and we should, but should always leave it to Him to direct our steps. I just love that one verse in Hebrews where Paul tells us that we should draw near to God to receive grace and mercy as we need. When we draw near to Jesus with a heart full of faith, we have His promise that He will draw near to us.
Blessings for 2014 XX
Mia
Hi Mia! So nice to see you here today!
I am a very big fan of St. Paul’s so I love your Scripture reference. When we just make a tiny move to God, he rushes into us with all we need. Incredible!
I look forward to what the new year brings, and I hope we can travel it together.
Blessings to you too!
Ceil
Is this a new blog design, dear Ceil?
XX
Mia
Hi Again! Yes, this is a new platform for me. I used to be on Blogger. The whole story is in my previous post, or on the “About” page on my header.
Anyway, I jumped to this WordPress platform, it’s hosted and I now have my own domain name. Thank God for my son. I couldn’t have done this without him. It was headache inducing just watching him work it all out!
Thanks for noticing!
Ceil
Great post on grace and prayer, Ceil! You have a way with words!
Speaking of cold…brrrr! We were lucky if we got above zero here in NH today
Hi Mary! Thank you for your lovely comment! I’m so glad you liked the post today. Preparation is always essential, both in body and soul, right?
Oh my, you are in the deep freeze, aren’t you? The high here was about 12. I guess that’s balmy compared to you! Get that fleece blanket and a mug of tea
Joining you in spirit,
Ceil
So happy to see you back! I’ve missed your gifts of wisdom. Congratulations on the new grand daughter, isn’t new life one of God’s greatest blessings? I’m impressed (and a little envious, ha!) with you getting all tech savy. Of course, no fair having a computer engineer in the family! Enjoy it all. I know that however they follow, people will be encouraged by you.
Hi Peggy! She really is a blessing, just like your little grandson. Isn’t it fun that we became Grandmothers at the same time??
Oh, you don’t have to be impressed at all. If it wasn’t for my son, I’d still be trying to figure out how to post! I didn’t want to change platforms at all. I liked Blogger. But they just wouldn’t or couldn’t help me with my problems.
Your last sentence was so…sweet. Thank you Peggy, you are such an encourager. I really appreciate your gift, and your words.
I look forward to what comes in 2014. I hope we can travel it together!
Ceil
Your website changes are lovely! So good to have you back posting and as always, you’ve offered a word in season. Love to you, Diane
Hi Diane! Thank you for your kind comment about the blog-look. I am getting used to it now, and I hope to get comfortable with the changes soon.
I am really happy to be back blogging, and I’m glad that you liked what you read here. It’s always fun to hear that what you do is appreciated. I love being over to visit at your blog too
Have a good evening,
Ceil
I just love how you write Ceil. You always reach into my soul and set fire to my heart. I love this contrast of preparing for the weather with preparing our spirits for God’s work. Thank you for this loving reminder.
Wishing you a blessed day my friend.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! Oh thank you so much, what a lovely thing to say. You are such an encouragement to me Jennifer, and you have been so helpful too. God bless.
But I need to be ready for any weather, spiritual or physical, right?
It was a blessed day. Cold, but blessed
I hope you had a good day in homeschool, and a peaceful evening.
Hugs,
Ceil
This is what matters most, being prepared for spiritual storms.
Hi Dayle! You are so right. How can we do God’s work if we are not prepared for anything?
It was so nice to be reconnected with you! I hope we’ll travel through 2014 together
Have a peaceful evening,
Ceil
Here in our area, we remember NOT being ready when a snowstorm came through on a Wednesday night (January 1978.) So now, people do all the preparation they can.
Hi Cecelia! Boy, it only takes one time, doesn’t it? I think a lot of areas are experiencing really unusual weather. We are over twice the snowfall level from last year.
We should all prepare well for weather, spiritual or physical. God needs us at our best.
It was great to be over at your blog today. Good to reconnect!
Hope you had a good day
Ceil
Ceil, your post is so true. There have been some days that I forgot to pray in the morning and my day goes awry. Jesus is our Shepherd and leads and guides us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. Therefore, beginning my day helps me to be led and prepared by Him for those unexpected events throughout my day.
Excellent post and thanks for sharing!
Hi Marilyn! I do the same thing, believe me. That’s how I can write about it…I experience it! Praying in the morning is the best thing I can do for myself. Like Lisa said in her comment, it should be like getting dressed in the morning. A really good image for me!
Thank you so much for ‘liking’ my Facebook page! I’m so excited that we can connect that way too. You are so generous in your support of me, and I REALLY appreciate it.
Have a peaceful night my friend,
Ceil
Hi Ceil` So happy your back and blogging!! This was a great post. Keep it up because your words always make me think and they bless me!
Blessings….Chelle
Hi Chelle! Oh my gosh, it’s so nice to see you here!
Thank you for your kind words about the post. And all the encouragement too. I really appreciate it.
I hope your health is good, and you’re weathering this fun winter we are having. Can’t wait to catch up with you on your blog
Have a great night!
Ceil
You ARE something, Ceil! You are special! Great post, sweetie!
Hi Lynn! Thank you for coming on over to visit!
What a sweet comment Lynn! Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. I am starting out in a new place, so that really means a lot to me.
I hope that we can travel through 2014 together.
Blessings,
Ceil
One cell phone bar, low grade prayer power… I love it, Ceil. Sending you warm hugs from AZ.
Hi Mary! That cellphone visual is a universal one, isn’t it? I know I could relate, and I’m so glad you could too.
I can use your warm hugs! It was -3 this morning. BRRR! I used to live in Tucson. What was I thinking?
Enjoy your day my friend. Thank you for your visit today
Ceil
“Spending time with the Lord in prayer is the best way to repower. With the infusion of grace given in prayer, I can be ready for anything.” Love, love this Ceil!! Amen sister! Everyday is a better day with prayer and worship time! Stay warm sweet friend…and safe!
Blessings and joy,
Denise
Hi Denise! Oh, thank you for your kind comments about this post. I just love the way you write, so I am really happy you like what you saw here.
I know that my day is SO much better when it starts with prayer, and ends with it too. I don’t do it all the time, I have to admit. But that’s how I can write about it, I know the challenges very well.
Thank you for your care and warm wishes. I need them! It was -3 this morning. What a winter!
Ceil
I love your new place here, Ceil. I always love how you share your heart… sharing from every day life. It’s always a pleasure to come here and nod along because I can so easily relate it to my life.
Prayer… something I’m really working on making more a part of my daily life. I feel as thought I’m always talking to Him (and I am) but I want more devoted time in prayer with Him.
Thank you for the encouragement.
And oh… Simply Beth… I’ve always used this but was first more because others would ask if my real name was Elizabeth and I’d respond, “No, it’s simply Beth.” But now I look at it as being simply who God created me to be. Beth.
Sorry, I didn’t respond to you on FB so thought I’d respond here.
Much love,
Beth
Hi Beth! Thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you! I like it here too, even though I’m still working out how to navigate it etc..
I’m working on prayer in my life too. As I said before, that’s how I can write about it this way, I know the challenges first hand. I have gone into plenty of days without my prayer time, and it’s never a good thing. I’m a slow learner. But like WordPress, I’ll get there!
I’m glad that we connect, no matter where. I appreciate learning about your ‘Simply Beth’ idea. It’s so creative, and now has so much more meaning for you.
Have a good day Beth. Cover up, it’s FREEZING out there!
Ceil
Ceil, It is so great to have you back. What a wonderful way to spend a vacation – welcoming a new granddaughter into the family and spending time with loved ones. One day I pray that every person will know the power of prayer.
Stay warm in this freezing weather…I’m adding an early Spring to my prayers, LOL.
Kim
Hi Kim! From your lips to God’s ears, let me tell you. It was -3 this morning. Yikes.
Thanks for welcoming me back, I’m really happy to be. In the beginning it was a relief to not have to come up with new ideas three times a week…but towards the end of the break, I was itchy to get back writing. So, it was a good break. Busy, but good.
I will join you in your prayer for all to know the joys and power of their prayer. How happy it makes Our Lord, and how graced we become. Amen!
Have a wonderful day my friend,
Ceil
I almost feel guilty here in Montana, where our temp today is going to be in the 30s and we only had 1/2 ” of snow yesterday. And yes, it was in the low 50s on Tuesday and is forecasted to be in the low 50s tomorrow! I say, “almost because we have had plenty of snow and cold, but I must also say, the Midwest and East are really getting cold and snow and I do feel sad for all of you. Your post is in sync with what God has been showing me in His word lately. My days are usually quietly spent with our grandson, Ben, who is 2. I say quietly because I am at home where I want to be and my friends know he is with me, so I get few phone calls or interruptions. At this age, he is full of energy, to be sure, but he also likes to cuddle and so do I, so we do get in a few quiet moments reading books and telling stories. But yes, we do not know when things may change like the weather, sunny one moment and raining or snowing the next, perhaps an emergency or the electricity going out in a storm. But He has given us His peace in His word, such as this verse I read recently, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19. He is teaching me to “not borrow trouble” by worrying about what could happen, but to instead seek Him and trust Him in this day. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24. I am right there with you, Ceil, praying to our Lord to show me how to live in the day, listening to His voice in his word, and being “really something!”
Hi Laurie! I did really enjoy your post about your grandson, and snuggles with him after the diaper change. What precious memories you are making…for both of you!
Your Scripture passages are so good for me. Thank you for sharing them. With many things ‘up in the air’ in my life, a reminder of how God’s got it all is so soothing.
He’ll be the one to make us both “really something” won’t he? Although now that I think of it, maybe we always were. We just don’t see ourselves as he does. Hmmm. That’s a good idea to think about on a cold night. We’re expecting -9 lows. Erg.
Thank you so much for your support on my FB page for the blog. It’s all so terribly new to me, and I really cherish your blog-friendship and encouragement. I always love visiting you, as I said, I get so much from your posts (both mentally and in images and videos too!).
Have a peaceful evening my friend. I hope we will both travel the year together.
Blessings,
Ceil
Oh Ceil, I heard in the wews about the snow storm but glad that you are okay, and I love the way how God reminds us through the circumstances everyday. It means He opens our eyes for the things unseen, and I called it alrm. I believe you live close to God everyday and it automaticly comes to us, we never know how to grab a lesson in this and that.
we are big fan of His presence. Thanks for sharing this amazing thought.
This post is the reason for Christian people to never stop to pray.
blessing,
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! We are just fine, the house is warm. We are blessed!
You are so right about the need to keep praying. It helps me and arms me for the day ahead. I like how you saw we are “big fan of His presence.” It is wonderful how he touches each and every one of us, isn’t it? And speaks to us all day in all things.
Thank you for your visit today! I hope you have a peace-filled day, my good friend,
Ceil
Each day…thanksgiving and prayer….have led me to a deeper relationship. Same circumstance in my life…but a new me. Peace.
Hi Dee! I LOVE your comment! Prayer does help me to accept his will. More prayer = more acceptance. Not because circumstances have changed, but because prayer changes me.
Such a wonderful insight Dee. Thank you for sharing it here.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
This: ‘It’s like I am a cell phone, and my power is on ‘one bar’. I need to plug in to my power source to be filled and ready.” You hit the proverbial nail on the head, Ceil. If we’re not plugged in through prayer, we’re DOA. Literally.
Thanks for this spiritual plug in, my dear.
Hi Ali! Thank you for your kind comment, I think that image is one that we can all relate to, right? And I know if I’m not praying, I do not feel centered at all.
So glad to see you today! Have a good weekend my friend
Ceil
Such good truth and wise advice in this post! Glad you published this. Even when we have a habit of prayer to start the day, things can distract us from it, and then (like one day this week for me), we find out by negative consequences how important it is!
Hi Sylvia! Thank you for coming over and visiting me in my new blog-home. And for ‘chiming in’ with Brenda. I love that!
I can get rushed in the morning, and miss my prayer time. But I don’t know why I think God only wants time. He wants my heart. I can pray ‘on the go’ or in the quiet. I prefer the quiet really, but I think the Lord just loves to hear from his children.
Hope your consequences were not bad? Let’s pray for each other too…that we remember to pray in the Lord each day, ok?
Blessings!
Ceil
Prayer is something I enjoy to do in the wee hours of the morning. It sets you up for the day. We must always be on our guard like a watchman, because the day can change in an instant. And we must learn from how we deal with those challenges. Many times I’ve made the same mistakes over and over because I wasn’t prepared. Nice Post.
Hi Rum Punch! I like your comparison to the ‘watchman’, a reference to the Psalms. Always vigilant, always protecting ourselves to keep our peace. That’s a great image.
I make those mistakes too, believe me. That’s how I can write about it, I know it well. But only God is perfect, and he knows we need grace to be good watchmen.
May he pour down his grace on us!
Good to see you again!
Ceil