Dear Lord; You know Father, I think that sometimes You like to catch me off guard when You speak to me. Most notably in the last couple of months, I’ve received Your Guidance in some of what I consider odd ways and places. I’m guessing that some of it is that I’ve been working diligently to make myself more open to Your Presence in all parts of my life, but either way You’ve once again made Your imprint on me…
…But while I was cleaning snow off the driveway?
As You know already, we got hit with an intense little snowstorm on Sunday, complete with 40+ mph winds which made some lovely drifts to cover us up. While I tried to wait until the winds had died down to clear the driveway, when I went out Monday afternoon with the snow-thrower there were still some pretty significant gusts making things more difficult. As the wind was blowing across the driveway, one side was easy enough to do but when I started to try to throw the snow up on the other side, I was of course greeted with a face full as it blew right back at me and recoated the pavement. I made some progress working between the gusts as best I could, but it seemed to be an uphill battle.
“Don’t fight the wind.” You said to me quietly.
I was a little taken aback, as I really hadn’t expected You to get involved in something as mundane as clearing snow off my driveway but I stopped for a minute and rethought it all the same. It seemed like it was way too far for my little snow-thrower to heave the covering to the other side of the driveway, but I turned the thrower around and gave it a shot anyways. Funny enough, the wind gave me the extra lift I needed and the piles of white soon moved aside.
After finishing up and sitting inside contemplating what had happened, it dawned on me that my experience was very much a metaphor for our relationship with You. We struggle each day with all the earthly worries, fears and activities that seem to consume our lives, yet when we’re able to open our hearts and minds to Your Voice, our burdens become Yours and Your Will is done. Intentionally or not, we “fight the wind” way too much, and I appreciate You reminding me of that. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
I love how God speaks to us in the big things as well as in the little things. He wants to be a part of our everything. He is right beside us in all we do, we just have to be aware of His presense. It is so wonderful that even shoveling snow, you were aware of God.
When we just listen to God and follow His leading we won’t have to fight the wind so much. He will be there to help us. I love this lesson!
Blessings!
It’s funny Jenifer, but some of the most important things He’s taught me have come from the simplest situations. Thank you so much and have a Blessed Day my friend!
The Holy Spirit is described as a wind, and I think sometimes we do fight “the wind” in our lives. God tries to blow us one way, and we are stubborn and try to go our own way – like walking into the wind. But if we turn our back to our way and go God’s way, then we have the wind behind us. It’s much easier to walk that way.
Thanks for this great post!
Lisa, I completely missed the correlation to John 3:8 :
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Thank you so much for the reminder, and for the visit! Have a Blessed Day!
I love that…don’t fight the wind. God knows how much I love a good fight! Thankfully He reminds me too in ways I don’t expect to just let go…and let Him..
Thank you Allison! I don’t always think about it beforehand, but God always seems to find a way to remind me that His way is The Way. Have a Blessed Day!
Phil, this reminds me of something I wrote nearly two years ago, when both my sons headed off for college. God spoke a very similar phrase into my heart about “facing the wave.” It can be found here, http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/2009/08/wave-of-empty.html
No pressure to read, but I resonated with your heart on this one. Chemo #7 is done; the effects to be felt over the next two weeks. One more to go. I’ll post a video soon.
peace~elaine
Elaine, thank you so much for sharing this with me! I loved your posting, and very much appreciate you directing me to it. It’s amazing to me that the more I open my heart to hearing His Voice, the more I learn from seemingly everyday experiences.
I’m glad your chemo is progressing on schedule… You’re in my thoughts and prayers. I know we’re not nearby, but please let me know if I can do anything to assist you or your family.
Have a Blessed Day!
I loved this! It also made me think of how when your driving and you skid on the ice how you are supposed to turn into the skid instead of against it. If we fight it we’ll make things much worse! Its opposite of what we think we should do as are most things with God. Great post, thank you for sharing!
Thank you Heidi! That’s another great example… He’s always teaching and guiding us, we just need to be open to listening for the message. Have a Blessed Day!