The snow is piling up in Williamsburg, Virginia (the state of) forcing Virginia (the person) to reshuffle her afternoon plans.
Zooming out to an early church service this morning a few flakes fluttered, but I came home in pounding snow to find our rosemary plants completely covered. (Not sure if they will survive for their Christmas duties in various dishes.)
Four hours later, snow continues incessantly. Although the forecast called for rain, now there’s a good 4 inches piled up on our deck.
We southerners don’t do snow very well. The northerners among us don’t get it when an inch shuts everything down. Seeing so much snow coming down (waiting for it to turn into rain before venturing out) my brother and I made the executive decision to stay in.
Change of plans. Out comes leftover soup from the frig.
But first, what do you do when plans unexpectedly change?
MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE!!
(in one of my favorite holiday UNICEF mugs)
Sometimes unexpected snowstorms of life take our well laid plans for a whirl. When they (and sometimes as a result us) get turned upside down, it’s hard to turn our plans (and ourselves) right-side up again.
Think Humpty Dumpty. Splat. How to put all the pieces back together again?
We can change our plans (and/or ourselves) or we can bravely continue out in the cold facing whatever the storms of life throw at us.
(like more snow that is still piling up!)
Whatever and however our plans change, the important thing is to trust that God will give us the grace to face our next steps. Years ago my Papa sent an email when I was working in a challenging place. In it he wrote:
“The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
In that spirit on this second (snowy) Sunday of Advent, here’s an encouraging quote from a favorite saint:
The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.” Saint Francis de Sales
What to do when snow intercepts our Advent Sunday plans?
Trust God…
…and make more hot chocolate.
grace, peace & Advent snow
Virginia : )
p.s. My brother just measured the snow on our deck. It’s now 5 inches and still pounding down. Usually in Tidewater (our region of Virginia that doesn’t get much snow) we ultra-prepare for this many inches (emptying shelves of local groceries beforehand), but this is completely unexpected. Now to enjoy that hot chocolate!
Roses in the Rubble 
Yes, stay safe! The northern states invest in snow plows because they need them. They don’t understand that we don’t have that many snow plows to handle this. Plus,…my sister in law from North Dakota says that we don’t have snow…we have ICE. She can’t drive in our “snow” but has no problem in North Dakota!!!
Carol – winter storm knocked our power out for 2 days. There’s still snow on the ground (& dangerous ice) this morning. Main roads are fine, it’s just a little tricky in our neighborhoods (& driveways!) Blessings (& stay warm!) ❄️💨🤗💨❄️
P.S. Just came back from a talk on Thomas Merton at Holy Trinity. It is the 50th anniversary of his death and 75th anniversary of his entering the monastery either today or tomorrow. There were several in the room that had been to Gethsemane. But I bet no one accompanied a flaming redhead who jogged in a purple sweatsuit into the monk’s “no trespassing” area!
Ooooh, that talk sounds so amazing! Thank you for motivating this redhead to take that Merton class @ Georgetown all those yeas ago. I remember getting up @ 5:00AM to read all his books before work, but so worth it! As was that memorable silent retreat @ Gethsemane (unintentional no trespassing trespassing notwithstanding!) Hugs! 📚🌷🤪🌷📚
The snow pictures look beautiful. Don’t see a lot of it down here.
Your cup of hot chocolate looks inviting.
That quote by your father resonates with me. It was just the p-e-r-f-e-c-t reminder I needed this week.
Thank you, Cyn. That quote of Papa’s has been dusted off many times (in many places) where challenges abounded. Snow can be lovely, but unexpected snow in these parts throws challenges in the wintry mix (2-day power outage! icy roads!) At least it’s an excuse for (more) hot chocolate! Blessings! ❄️☕️❄️😎❄️💥
Stay safe Virginia. I wish sometimes we could also experience snow here. But that is just wishful thinking, we are in a tropical country 🙂
Thanks Arlene, our power went down for 2 days, but now it’s back. Makes us grateful for things like heat!! (maybe not so relatable in hot & humid Philippines 🇵🇭, but when it’s below freezing, it gets COLD in the house!) Blessings! 🌷💨😎💨🌷
Oh wow!! That is a massive amount of snow fall!! Keep warm!
Hey GH, staying warm (with power down for 2 days) involved sleeping in my warmest sweater, warmest socks, with every blanket piled on chilly Virginia like a mummy! Power is back & she’s toasty warm (& enjoying hot chocolate!! ) Hugs! 💥❄️💥🤪💥
Five inches and climbing — wow! We have a dusting only, but freezing fog this morning. I tell you, the weather is whacky everywhere, isn’t it? Stay safe and hole up inside, my friend!
Freezing fog? That sounds cold (& dangerous!) We still have snow (& ice) around, but our main roads are fine. You stay warm (& safe) too, Debbie! 🌟💨🤗💨🌟