Late

I hate to be late. Truly.
But even though I have an aversion to lateness, I can’t seem to avoid it.

I have been late for work, late for church, late for a movie (oh, excuse me as I trip over your feet in this dark theatre), and too late for the post office and the grocery store.

I’ve been late for birthday parties, weddings, and funerals.

I truly hate to be late. I think it sends the message that I don’t care. And that's not true -- I DO care. I just can’t seem to get my act together to show up on time.

Another reason I hate to be late is that it requires an apology – and I’m not very good at that, either.

But that’s not what this blog is about…

This week I discovered that on top of all those things listed above, I am also late in reading a list of 20 books to ‘read before you’re 20’. All three people who read this blog know that the train left the station on that one a looooong time ago. The years before I was 20 are now listed in ‘not so modern’ history books.

Of that list of 20 books, I have read only one; and I read it long after I was twenty. I don't think the author was even born before I had that birthday party!

As I thought about my chronic lateness, it hit me -- God is never late.
He wasn’t late for Lazarus.
He wasn’t late for Noah.
He wasn’t late for Abraham.
And He isn’t late for us.

Sometimes it feels like He’s late; but His timing is always perfect.

II Peter 3:8, 9a says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years , and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise…"

Thank you for reminding me of this truth, Father. Your timing is perfect.

So, back to the list of books -- should I bother to read the rest of the books on the list? Maybe I should look for another list – one with a less constraining time line. Maybe a list of books to read before I’m 80. I think I could manage that. Maybe a list of books to read before I clean my house? Now there’s an idea…

Longing for Spring

Several years ago, one of my students introduced me to the song

“You Must Believe in Spring.”
Because this winter seems longer than any other I’ve known,

I’m holding on to this thought.


Just as a tree is sure
Its leaves will reappear;
It knows its emptiness
Is just the time of year

The frozen mountain dreams

Of April's melting streams,

How crystal clear it seems,

You must believe in Spring!

What crazy weather we are having…

a thaw…

then a cold snap…

another thaw…

and water, water everywhere!

The greenhouse awaits tomatoes,

the fence awaits sweet peas,

and the pine just wants the frost to be gone.

I pour over the seed catalogues

and long for spring,

new life,

new beginnings,

and an end to the cold.

How wonderful to know that God created an ordered universe.

Daniel 2:21a reads, “He changes times and seasons.”

And when spring does arrive,

and I enjoy the new growth once again,

remind me, Father, that You provide

this wonderful season through Your creation of order.

Snow Party

Sometimes, here at the end of the road, it seems that we are a long way from anywhere and anyone. But this past weekend, we held our ‘try for yearly, but it depends on the conditions’ Snow Party. The snow was still here, the weather was perfect, and about 30 people came to help us celebrate.

I have always loved tobogganing. It was one of my favourite activities when I was young. I remember rushing in from the school bus, dropping off our books, grabbing the toboggan and heading for the coulee. I’m glad our neighbours’ kids love it as much as I did.

Of course now it’s a little different than it was back then. Now, it’s all a ‘ride’ – both up and down the hill! The kids slid down on all types of sleds, sliders, and toboggans; the adults pulled them back up to the top with snowmobiles. The moms enjoyed hot chocolate as they stood on the deck and watched; and I caught some of the happenings on video…

Lots of thrills, some spills, but mostly laughter and fun. When it was over, we went back to the house for supper and more visiting.

I went to bed that night with the sound of the laughter still ringing in my head. I thought about the fun, but I also thought about the beauty of that coulee. In an area which is mostly flat prairie, these hills offer a beautiful change of scenery, and they don't change over time.

The author of Psalm 102 credited God for the creation when he wrote in verse 25, "In the beginning, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."

I imagine a century ago, others enjoyed 'our' coulee. Today, we have the priviledge of spending time there, and sometime in the future, I hope others find its beauty, as well. Indeed, I hope the tradition of Snow Parties continues. These hills should ring with laughter…as kids of all ages enjoy the wonder of God's creation.

First Street -- Last Street

Last week, I went to visit a friend and return a book she had loaned me. Both the visit and the book were long overdue. As I turned down ‘the last street in town’, I remembered a time, years ago, when a woman arrived on my doorstep looking for that same street.

She explained her destination and it made perfect sense. The instructions she had been given were absolutely correct, and she had followed them explicitly. The only problem was her approach. While my home and the other person’s home were both on the ‘last street in town’, we did not live on the same street. In fact, we couldn’t have lived further apart. First and last are interchangeable, when approached from opposite directions.

I drew a little map to help her find the way, and off she drove. I’m sure she and her friend had a good chuckle when she arrived.

Last week, as I turned down that ‘last street’, I thought about 'firsts' and 'lasts'.

Jesus said, “For many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Don't you love the way that Jesus turned things around? In our world, the powerful and famous don't arrive at their coveted spots without a certain level of ‘pushing’. How refreshing to read that Jesus taught the opposite. He wants us to be humble and gentle. And what’s more: He lived those principles to provide us with a model.

I don’t live in that town anymore. I’m no longer on the first (or last) street – I’m even further out – at ‘the end of the road’. Because it’s easy to get lost out here, I try to give really clear directions to people who want to visit. With clear directions and the right approach, you could arrive in time for afternoon tea. Please know the invitation is always open!

“Father, help us be to be mindful of the roads You want us to take, and please remind us of Your teaching on humility. We look for Your guidance along our way until we reach the very ‘end of our road’ and are welcomed into Your kingdom.”