When Dave and I purchased our home in Montana the current owner gave me some excellent advice – words I still remember. You see, we moved to the Beaverhead Valley from north Idaho where the climate was more temperate.
She took me to the big picture window and said, “There will be days this winter when you look out these windows and you won’t see a thing except for blowing white. You’ll hear the wind howl and you’ll think that you’re going to be snowed in for the rest of the winter. Don’t panic! Just wait…wait about thirty minutes. The wind will die down and then you will be able to go outside once again.”
I put those words to good use that winter. “Don’t panic. Just wait.” Sure enough it was just as she said. The longest I ever had to wait was forty-five minutes and the wind would subside and the blizzard was over. We lived in a big log home with a great wood-burning stove and we were safe and warm. No need to panic.
I’ve applied those words to many of life’s circumstances, the current one we are going through is no exception.
Jesus said the same thing to his disciples:
“Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves. 26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed. 27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!” Luke 21:25-28 ERV
His disciples had asked Jesus about the end of times. A lot had been written in the Old Testament about this. Jesus told them to watch for the signs but He also told them they didn’t need to be afraid. I can hear the words of Jesus more clearly than I heard the words of Mrs. McGinley. “Don’t panic…just wait!”
There will be a time when life on this earth will end. I believe that because God said it will. But that’s no reason to fear. It is a reason to be prepared. The Lord will return for those of us who have accepted Him as our Savior and He will take us to heaven. Those that remain here on the earth will face terrible and devastating events.
God is loving and gracious. He is giving everyone the opportunity to come into relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning.
10 But the day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief…” II Peter 3:9-10a ERV
How wonderful is that? God is patient and He doesn’t want anyone to be lost! The good news – everyone has been invited to have a new life in Christ, a life that brings forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the Father.
Don’t panic! Just wait and it will all be over soon.
I’ve been to this house she’s talking about in the winter…we’ve sat in front of that wood stove, watching the wind and snow blow. No worries, we’re together, safe & warm on New Years day. Until 2 days later, when her daughter needed to go to work. She came back in, “I can’t get out, my cars stuck & the snow is to deep”. We all rolled our eyes….until we went out. OH MY, there was a snow drift. We were all snowed in! After trying to dig with a shovel, Dave had to call the neighbor and he came with his tractor and plowed us out. We still laugh about that. We’ve also spent New Years Eve in AZ with Dave & Kristi and have asked, Does Kaci needs to work”?…..No, we wait, we don’t panic, we laugh, we’re safe and together.
I love that we have so many special memories to share. You’ve been there for some of life’s best and worst. Love you.