Planes, chains + automobiles

Today marks the fist full day of Winter, and yet it seems like this new season has been in full force for some time. The great winter storm of ‘08 actually started a week before Winter Solstice came — and has yet to relent. Somehow I’ve had this thought that the winter storm that has hit (and continues to blanket) the Portland area is on par with what I grew up with in Bend. It actually is not that bad, and I remember seeing worse back in Central Oregon. But for this area it is much worse. For example, my grandma says she cannot remember a snow storm being this relentless in the past 50 years.

The real difference between over there in Bend and here in Portland is that our area is far less prepared — and used to — this type of winter storm. That is not to say our community is sitting down and whining about it. Far from it. Kudos to those who are out plowing the roads, laying down cinder for traction, and the dozens I’ve seen stop and lend a helping hand. Like the man who helped dig out my Dad’s rental car high-centered on a snow drift last night. The "Christmas spirit" of giving and sharing is on display.

"Our" plans have been disrupted in a number of ways, in the air and on the ground.

Planes

Family planning to come visit for Christmas are facing flight cancellations. Other family headed out (even today) will be weathering this storm for at least a few more days. Life is — by necessity — slowing down . We live at the end of the Oregon Trail, and that trip took at least six months, 150 years ago. Today that trip takes a couple hours via flight. We are so accustomed to hoping on a plane and arrive cross country in hours. A snow storm can actually get us to slow down in ways we would not otherwise. (Watch this short clip for some perspective. Warning that it features a coupled "beeped-out" words, but well said overall — and funny. It will make you think, and probably be more thankful.)

Chains

I broke down and bought chains for our Honda Pilot and used them today. While I hadn’t yet slid in this storm — even early yesterday when the roads were icy — it is far wiser to be safe rather than sorry. For the sake of other drivers, and to be useful as a driver for other who need a ride, I broke down and bought chains. Another object lesson on how this life is truly not about me.

Automobiles

Funny things about car rentals: you cannot put snow chains on them. Or, you can, but you will be paying out of pocket for any damage to the fenders. And cheap chains do tear apart a car. So, my Dad’s Chevy Impala rental car is parked at the hotel for the moment. (If we only had TV at home they might want to be at our place the whole time as they wait out this storm to return home!)

Echoes

All three — planes, chains and automobiles and this current storm echo to the past when none of them even existed. They stand in part for unrealized expectations. Reading and reflecting on Luke 1:26-38 yesterday as a church family , we looked to how this young couple Joseph and Mary, not even yet married, had plans of being faithful to God, getting married, raising a family and enjoying life. God had far greater plans, to bless the whole world through them. God would be born a Child, Jesus the Savior of the world. Think about how Jesus entered this world — our world, His world — and what His worth, work and ways mean for us:

"You don’t have to look any further than the manger to understand the extent that God would go to bless us with his transforming love. As the infant Christ laid in the manger, the twigs of straw that pierced his tender skin foreshadowed the thorns that one day would pierce his head for our redemption. The Son of God was willing to suffer from the very beginning of his life to the very end of his life, so that some day our suffering would end. What could be a more exciting, motivating, hopeful message than this one? That God reaches down to lost and rebellious people not to give them their rightful judgment, but to welcome them into his family and transform them by his grace." (Paul Tripp)

So, this week is not really about a long string of relative inconveniences (for every single one I am thankful). No, it is about the God who came near to us, so we could draw near to Him. He was born to die that we might live.

Furthermore, He is so good to not cater to our tiny little conceptions of what this life should look like. And because He does all things well, not one snowflake falls apart from His all-wise, all-powerful hand, and this season of heavy snow is in accordance with His good and sovereign pleasure. He knows best.