“But the people grew impatient with the long journey, and they began to speak against God and Moses…” (Numbers 21:4-5 NLT)
It’s been a rough couple days here in South Texas. An epic (by TX standards) winter storm swept in on Saturday night, frosting the landscape with ice, followed by snow and fierce wind Sunday afternoon into the wee hours of Monday. The temperatures plummeted. We woke up yesterday to a record twelve degrees and rolling blackouts. Shouldn’t be a big deal to a native northern Iowan, right? Did I mention the rolling blackouts?
In South Texas, most heat is electric. This works fairly well when temperatures stay above freezing, which is most of the time. Homes down here are not well insulated and usually have single paned windows. When it’s cold, the heater works hard to keep up. Add to that; lots of homes are pier and beam (ie; no slab, above ground with a crawl space for pipes and electric) so freezing pipes are a substantial concern immediately when it freezes. This particular winter storm stretched across the entire state, sending 254 counties into single digit temps for several days. Eight million homes in Texas suddenly relying on electric heat puts a substantial strain on the national power grid, resulting in rolling blackouts.
Rolling blackouts in Brenham have meant the power is on for 45 minutes to an hour and then off for two hours or more. It feels like the local power company has figured out just where the threshold of intolerable is; takes us to it and then quick puts the power on again for just long enough to take the edge off.
I’m not writing all this out to grumble, just to give you an idea of what we are dealing with. The local message boards are saying this on-again off-again power situation may go on through Thursday, as we are hoping to warm up to 30 degrees today, but another ice storm is expected to blow through tonight.
This week, I’ve learned that I am a baby when it comes to cold. Yes, I’m from Iowa and I’ve grown up with winter, but we have coping mechanisms for cold weather: crockpots and electric blankets, radiators to warm up on when you come in from the chill, steaming cups of coffee or cocoa. I am not accustomed to having a cold house. I’ve tried very hard in these past 36 hours to stay cheerful, grateful, to steer clear from compliant and look for the good in this circumstance.
I am so, so grateful for a gas stovetop, not to heat the house – that is dangerous because it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning – but to cook food and heat the tea kettle. I’m grateful I’ve lived my life up to this point with heat in winter and AC in summer. I’m grateful that typically the power supply in this country is steady and readily available to me as long as I pay my bill. I’m grateful for employment that allows me to pay that bill. The list goes on.
I was reading about the Israelites again this morning, and it cut me to the quick. Once again they are in the desert grumbling about their situation. God has come through for them again and again, yet they grumble at every twist and turn. I read of their objections and recognize my own lifelong tendencies to complain and be impatient. Throughout my story, I’ve struggled. We struggle, right?
It turns out, we are all Israelites, living out the wilderness between the slavery of sin and the promise of Heaven. It’s inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it’s a necessary journey. These desert steps cultivate the character we require to live in the Promised Land. And God has committed to accompany us all along the way. He has promised to be our Provider and our Protector. He doesn’t guarantee that it will be easy or comfortable, but He pledges to be with us. He’s given us His Spirit to dwell in us.
In this cold and uncomfortable week, I’m choosing to remember that I am only passing through. It’s ok to be uncomfy, because this isn’t my forever. It’s alright to wait because with God, we have forever. Any intolerable situation is made more tolerable by it’s temporary nature. We are just passing through. The wilderness is limited to this life and the next will be worth any challenges we experience here.
“We are only here for a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.” (1 Chronicles 29:15 NLT)
Lord, strengthen us to withstand the discomfort of this day. May we recognize the temporary nature of earthly life and live focused on the life to come. Let us be cheerful even if we are chilly. May our gratitude take the sting out of story. We remember You are with us; faithful and sure even when it doesn’t feel like it. You never fail and we rely on You completely. Amen.