Upon Having a Meltdown in the Midst of a Polar Vortex

Snow mounds pile waist high and the hairs freeze in my nose.  My cheeks tight with razor winds, and still my insides puddle, melted down and useless.

I’ve come to a often visited place – the end of me.  And though I am a frequent visitor, I foolishly forget this rugged terrain.

Responsibilities pile mile high and I freeze in my tracks…melted down and useless.  Weather beaten sign states, “Welcome to The End of Yourself.”  Cried out, tired and weary worn I shuffle past the sign and like the famous prodigal wondering why I ever left, I lay down to rest in leftover angel’s wings made in powdery snow.

Because the end of me is the beginning of Him – when I let Him Be.  

I’ve been gently reminded that the responsibilities never came because of my greatness, but because of His. So they are His, they belong to Him, these responsibilities, and He can do what He will as soon as I get out of the way. 

Out of the way to let Him Be.

And is a meltdown such a bad thing when my heart has been cold as ice? And full of self?

Webster’s says that meltdown is 3 : a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation) 

And burnout is  the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time.

Isn’t this always the case?  A meltdown comes when I try to be in control of everything and everyone.  When I try to control circumstances that are beyond my control?  

And burnout? When did I lose sight of his yoke being easy?  and His burden light?

Burn out causes meltdown.  Burning the candle at both ends until there is nothing left, when I gloriously recognize that I am in way over my head and there’s nothing left of me to work this out. Fireworks and shooting stars!  I’ve been working and not gracing. 

His grace is sufficient, and His love is overwhelming. These tasks are better trusted to His grace than my works. The warmth of His love has melted me down amidst a polar vortex and Hell can not freeze me over.

 

 

Winterizing Your Heart – A Cheesy Allegory

Winter is coming, and I want to be ready. I’m trying for the most energy efficient, rodent deficient winter thus far. Seeing that we live in a 115 year old house, this can be quite the challenge.

So today I googled and found a great preparation list from About.com. However, as I looked over the list I had a cheesy thought, “Am I ready for a spiritual winter?” I would probably have to admit that I’ve been experiencing a spiritual winter, and that the buds are just beginning to open again. In some ways I was more than ready, in others I fell far short.

So here is a list for your spiritual winterization.

1. Furnace inspection – In our spiritual walk we must make sure that we keep our love temperature on hot.  We need to ensure that our duct work is free from debris so that when we are dispensing the love of God it isn’t polluted with junk.  Lastly, we need to pay attention to our filter so that nothing coming in will cause a problem with what goes out.
2. Get the fireplace ready –  There is nothing more welcoming than a roaring fire in the fireplace, but if the chimney and the hearth aren’t prepared, you can burn down your whole house!  First of all, you need to make sure that you cap the chimney so that no creatures can come in your house.  Whenever we make ourselves vulnerable and dispense the love and Word of God out, we have opened ourselves up to an opportunity to be invaded by the “enemy”, but if we guard our hearts with all diligence and keep a watch at the door of our lips then we can ensure that these critters won’t creep in.  Next, we have to have a supply of “seasoned” wood for fuel.  When we are attending a church with a wise pastor who is preparing spiritual food for our growth, it is like having seasoned wood for our fire.  We are able to heat and light our spiritual life with the seasoned Word of God.
3. Inspect your windows and doors.  Look at the points at which you are most vulnerable and check for cracks and cold air seeping in.  Cracks and crevices allow cold air to creep in and then we spend needless time and energy trying to keep our love walk strong and healthy.
4. Inspect roof.  Make sure your covering is in place.  The helmet of salvation.  God has promised to shelter us.
5. Check your foundation.  All too often we don’t go over what our Christianity is built on in the first place.  “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ my righteousness…On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”  We can not build our foundation on any other.  “All other ground is sinking sand.”  Are you hoping in your own ability?  Are you trusting in the economy, the government or a loved one?  Check your foundation.  Make sure it is firmly in place, that there are no cracks.
6. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  Sometimes we can flirt with spiritual death.  Other times we play with things that are invisible but can kill our spirits none the less.  Make sure that you have people in your life who are able to correct you and lead you in the right direction when you have gone astray.  Sometime we can’t see the things that are harming us, but others can.

Is your heart ready for winter?  Are you prepared for the coming season? I can’t stand this anymore…way too hokey for me…hehe.

All Seasons Have Their Glory (via To tell you the truth)

As some of you may be experiencing the winter of lent, the distance of the desert and the wandering of the wilderness, meditate on the end of the matter. Just as the snowdrops and crocus peek their heads out of hard cold soil, our spirits begin to emerge from the lenten season, fresh and new with resurrection life. A new epiphany of Who He is and Whose you are.
This post is from the blog of a dear friend of mine. Enjoy her lovely words as well as her lovely pictures. By the way, I’m the snow angel….;)

I am late… to give homage to the passing of Winter 2011.  It’s okay.  I was in denial in December that it was actually Winter.  I call it my “Delusional December”.   But these images are no illusion or delusion.  They are moments of glory during this latest season of dormancy.  Some moments of the glorious you can actually capture…   Most, you must accept by faith that they actually occurred, as there is no proof except the mark left on your … Read More

via To tell you the truth