It snows here

First snow of the season today.
Even though I really hate cold weather and snow, even I can’t deny that the first fluffy snow of the season is something magical.

But enough with the sissy talk.

On my way to work today, I saw a car with Florida license plates on the interstate driving 30mph.

30MPH!!
I can’t even drive 55mph.

Anyway, as I was passing this car, I glanced in the window to see the driver and passenger freaking out. I guess they didn’t get the memo that it snows here.

I mean absolutely no offense to anybody from Florida. Or anybody who has never seen snow. I'll never forget the sense of childlike wonder I saw in my friend Marissa Mendelson the first time she saw snow here “in the cold Midwest.”

I kind of wish I had the chance to talk with these confused folks and explain that snow is only to be expected this time of year and, while it’s necessary to drive cautiously, there is no reason to panic.

Maybe we need to be more like Texas.
Never thought I’d hear myself say that.
No offense to anybody from Texas.
When I went to Texas, it seemed like every time we crossed a bridge we saw a big sign that said “BRIDGE MAY BE ICY!”
Big kudos to anybody in Texas who can take a picture of one of these signs for me. Email it to pat@pathawks.com
Yes, they have these signs all over southern Texas. Because it’s always below freezing down there?

So where am I going with this?

Sometimes, life snows.
Period.
No buts.

There’s nothing that can be done to avoid it.
A wise man once said, “In this life, you will have trouble.”

I worry that all too often, we get very upset with God when things aren’t all roses and ice cream.
How does the expression go?

God never promised us that we would have an easy life.
Not even if we went to church every Sunday.
Not even if we prayed a bunch.
Not even if we went to work at Bible camp, and accidentally set a field on fire.

Maybe Christians should be more like Texas.
Instead of tricking people into coming to church because it will make your life easy (which it won’t), maybe we should just be honest and let people know that, even if they’re “good Christians,” life will still be full of problems. That’s just kind of it’s nature.

“In this life, you will have trouble.”