A Norvell Note for February 07, 2022
Vol. 26 No. 06
Unplanned Slowdown
Like many people in our area, I spent part of last Thursday sitting in my chair looking out the window at the ice collecting on the grass and trees and listening to the falling sleet. Unfortunately, the icy roads and frigid made travel dangerous, so most altered their work schedules, schools and businesses were closed, and we experienced an unplanned slowdown.
An unplanned slowdown may be an ice storm, a snowstorm, or a flood. The unplanned slowdown may occur when a family member becomes ill dies. An unplanned slowdown occurs when you get the flu, the power goes out, or the Internet is down.
An unplanned slowdown can be annoying, frustrating, inconvenient, and distressing. Or, it can be relaxing, inspirational, and refreshing. Like most of life, it depends on our attitude.
We do not know when another unplanned slowdown will come because they are, well, unplanned. But as sure as we live, there will be another. So the only healthy way I know to survive an unplanned slowdown is by coming to terms and reminding myself that I cannot control what happens, but I can control how I respond to what happens.
If I get stuck in traffic or forced to wait for another reason, I can spit and spew and cuss and cry. Or, I take a deep breath, listen to my favorite music, call a good friend, or remind myself that:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Be still, and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:1,2, 10)
I am not expecting the Lord to wake me in the morning by saying, “Tom, I’m tired. I need you to take over for the day.” So, when another unplanned slowdown comes, I think I will try to be still, enjoy the break, and know God is in control.
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