A Little Flexibility

Our plans for this week originally included some laundry and household tasks for yesterday along with packing for our travels over the next couple of weeks.  Al has out of town business, and I'm going along for the ride, particularly since these travels include some time in Florida, which is never a bad thing in the winter.

But our plans were interrupted.  The weather forecast was calling for inclement weather and so on Sunday afternoon we had been in quite a dilemma about what to do.  How much would it really snow?  Would we be able to wait until Tuesday afternoon to leave and still be able to get to Greensboro?  Should we wait?  What should we do?

Eventually we decided that we should come on to Greensboro a day early, just in case.  That meant quite a rush around the house on Sunday evening getting laundry done and getting clothes packed.  It meant rescheduling my much-needed haircut and pedicure.  (Many thanks to Caroline, who volunteered to come in on her day off to take care of my personal maintenance!  In case you are wondering, I didn't ask her to do that.  She got in touch with me and suggested it. And I am so very glad she did!)

All the Monday tasks got done on Sunday night, I had my "beauty appointment" on Monday morning, Molly was dropped off at the kennel a day early, and we got out of town ahead of the snow.  Fortunately, snow didn't begin here in Greensboro until after we arrived.  Light snow was falling when we got here, and began to increase in intensity, then mixed with sleet, as the day came to an end.  We are safely ensconced in our home away from home for the next few days, with a Cracker Barrel nearby!

There's a winter wonderland outside the window.  Not a huge accumulation of the white stuff, but enough to be beautiful and to have called off school for the day.  Unfortunately it's mostly ice, which makes driving school buses a bit treacherous.  Of course, I'm sure none of those school children really minds having a day off from school!

I tell this tale to remind us that sometimes we have to be a little flexible.  Things don't always go according to our plans.  Sometimes our schedules need to be rearranged.  We don't always get our own way.  It's just a part of life, and we need to be reminded of that from time to time.  Those of us who tend to be a bit OCD particularly need reminding!

Thomas Jefferson once said, "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."  He could have said "In matters of scheduling, be a little flexible......."

The second part of that quote is a good reminder to us as well.  There are times when a little flexibility is a good thing.  There are also times when it isn't.  There are times we need to stand firm.  We need to stand like a rock in matters of principle.  No matter what the culture says.  No matter what our best friend says.  No matter what the TV sitcom does or what the celebrity-du-jour says.  In matters of principle, stand with the Scripture.  And stand firm.

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  (Ephesians 6:13-17 NASB)