STORM WARNINGS!

Fiver’s and my morning walk today was a bit unusual as it was in the mid-fifties with a cooling wind coming from the south.  It seemed unusual because of the WINTER STORM WARNING that is supposed to go into effect tonight, where cold temperatures combined with rain, ice and snow are all forecasted!  I guess you could say that today is the calm before the storm… literally!

I believe Fiver knew that a change was coming.  He was hyper alert and maybe even a bit anxious as we walked along our normal path from our home to the neighborhood park and pond and back.  He wasn’t even as friendly as he normally is when a young golfer pulled over to us in his cart to ask some questions about Fiver and compliment me on Fiver’s good looks!

But I DO believe that we are ready for whatever is coming.  We went shopping yesterday… with a whole bunch of other folks… in order to stock up for the week.  And I have plenty of batteries, candles and kerosene and propane for our indoor heaters!  I went and got a haircut this morning and was a little surprised that the salon was practically empty.  The gal that trimmed my hair figured that it was because of the upcoming storm and that people were already sheltering, safe and warm at home!

The warnings that we’ve been getting for a few days now, all the preparations and the knowledge that we’ve been through these severe weather events before and will do it successfully again, helps me to carry on as usual and have the peace that we’ll be fine.

In my Christian walk, it also reminds me of a warning and ways to prepare that the Apostle Paul wrote to his young prodigy Timothy, who was in the early stages of pastoring.  In 2 Timothy 1:13 Paul wrote:

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

Timothy had been around Paul long enough to know that Paul’s words to him were more than just a gentile encouragement, but instead, a firm reminder of what Timothy HAD to do, in order to be successful in his ministry challenges.  And adhering to that particular scripture passage also proved to be of utmost importance to me during Piper’s battle with Alzheimer’s.

I was thinking while looking over the pond on this morning’s walk, that it was almost like the Lord had been preparing us for that specific battle for the majority of our adult lives.  All the various experiences that we encountered and weathered together helped us to take a stand of defense that we never questioned but only pursued with expectancy and enthusiasm!  It would seem that all the times that we “HELD FAST the FORM of SOUND WORDS” that we had been taught over the previous 30 plus years, paid off with great dividends when we needed it the most.

I found it interesting in this regard, that one of the Greek definitions for the phrase “Hold Fast” is “to hold as an object of practice.” (Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary)  I wonder if this is where the saying that “Practice makes perfect” originated?  In order to “HOLD FAST” to the sound Word of God, one has to practice, practice and practice… which we did, beginning with the first new car we bought together in 1977 and ended up paying it off early!

The word translated “FORM” is defined in the Greek as “an outline, sketch, brief and summary exposition; an example, pattern.” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions)  In other words, you hold fast to, follow and practice the example that you’ve been taught or the pattern of faith that was demonstrated to work in every situation!  You do it over and over again, so that when the tests, trials and tribulations of life come upon you… you just simply react with what YOU KNOW will work for you… because you’ve been through it and done it before and are ASSURED that it will be successful again!

It was hard for me to see people fall apart when Piper’s diagnoses came to light, but I am so glad that we choose… early on… to follow Paul’s sage advice and learn to:  

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

How will you react when the next major STORM WARNING is issued in your life?

Have a great week… practice, practice, practice… and while you’re at it… Remember to keep EXPECTING God’s best in your life!