You never know when plans might change when you live in Wisconsin. This afternoon, I was supposed to go speak at a ladies Christmas tea. However, 18 plus inches of snow intervened for me and I stayed home all day. Sometimes, it's just nice to be snowed in. Looks like we'll be snowed in yet tomorrow, so we'll be relaxing at home instead of venturing out to church.
It would be easy to be disappointed when plans don't do the way we want them to. But sometimes, being snowed in, or snowed under provides an opportunity for something we'd otherwise never have made time for. So when plans change because of weather, instead of getting upset, I like to make the most of it and look for the blessing. Looks like it took a few feet of snow to get me to catch up on some things I've been wanting to get done forever. It was great to get the Christmas tree decorated today and get a bunch of little cleaning projects done. Most of us don't mind a snow day. But what about when life snows us under? Some might be facing a health problem or a surgery that will make it impossible to get normal work done. It might be appendicitis. A breakup. Temporary or permanent layoffs at work. An unexpected pregnancy. Whatever the circumstance, it might be difficult to accept when it wasn't part of our original plan. But just like a snow day, sometimes the unexpected might just provide an opportunity to do something we'd never have taken time for otherwise.
A job layoff might mean more time for family. Or it might spur a career change that you'd never dared try before. A surgery might be the only way some people will get off their feet for a time of rest. That time of rest could lead to a spiritual reawakening. You never know what opportunity might come out of the unexpected.
Tonight, I had to make some cancellation phone calls regarding plans for tomorrow and for the first time in as long as I can remember, every person was home and answered the phone On a Saturday night. It takes a heap of snow to get people to stay home with family and set aside their crazy schedules, but I'm sure some of them are doing something tonight that they never find time to do otherwise--talk.
What circumstance has you snowed in or snowed under? Have you been able to find a hidden blessing?
Leave your comments below. The first three people to comment will be entered into the December Book Drawing.
Michelle - My family has had a trying 2010 - just one thing after another, and every time we reach what I think is bottom, we resurface for only a short time before something else bad happens. Thanks to the big snow, my husband got to try out one of his employment ventures - snowplowing for the town. He didn't like it so much. Tomorrow he gets to drive a bus, because the regular driver has been working his second job - snowplowing - for 36 hours straight and needs a break. Weird how things come around. Now if only my son and my daughter had better job prospects!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great blog. I also enjoyed the Christmas pictures on facebook! Way to bake those cookies.
Chris
Chris, way to see something positive in circumstances that weren't what you expected.
ReplyDeleteYou're entered into the December drawing.
-Michelle