Long Cold Winter

Back in the late 80’s, before I was walking with Christ, one of my favorite big hair metal bands was Cinderella. They had a cassette tape entitled “Long Cold Winter”, that I nearly wore out. I understand that praise songs should be coursing through my veins continually, but about the middle of February, when the temperature hadn’t risen out of the 20’s for what seemed like weeks, “Long Cold Winter” was the song running through my mind, on a cold school bus at 6:20 a.m. At the bus garage everyone was complaining about the cold and promising that they would move to Florida the second they retire. I didn’t complain out loud but silently I concurred.
The real truth is that it hasn’t been a terribly long winter. From the middle of January to the middle of February it was bitterly cold, but the first half of winter was nearly balmy. How quickly we forget. It makes me realize how easily the daily difficulties can choke out our ability to perceive the many divine blessings God bestows upon us.
Even though I just dispersed that pearl of wisdom here, I sat on the bus that morning begrudging the bone chilling wind howling through the leaky double doors on the school bus. I bemoaned the fact that I had to rise so early and leave the confines of my warm bed. I was embittered by the fact that the kid in row two just walked up within a foot of the driver’s seat and informed me that his little sister had head lice yesterday but his mom said for him to go to school anyway.
It was on the middle of this pre-dawn pity party that the Lord began to turn my perspective heavenward. It may have been freezing for the last month but I was catching fish on the river just weeks before that. I may have departed my warm bed, but I left behind my beautiful wife and newborn son. The school bus route may have its drawbacks, but the job provides a small income as well as quality medical insurance for our family, and it offers one heavenly benefit that is completely essential-humility. When the Lord allowed me to become a school bus driver He definitely took me back to school. And yet, He has kept me free from the various viruses that are continually passed around during the school year, and yes, I am lice free!
As the sun peaked its head over the horizon, and the orange and violet streaks began to contrast faint grey, I began to praise Him once again for providing the perfect job for a church planter in Farmington Missouri. Ithanked the Lord that I have my mid-days and evenings free so I minister to my family and the church.
Besides the many personal blessing that were punctuated with the birth of Nathaniel, the Lord has blessed Parkland Chapel corporately.

Spiritually, people are growing as we continue to teach though the Word. Ministries are starting to pop up. We began a men’s midweek discipleship group last Wednesday. Our inaugural monthly women’s fellowship was last Saturday. Both meetings had good turnouts and great fellowship.
Numerically, the church is growing slowly but steadily. I am thankful for this. It allows our body to grow up together and effectively minister to one another.
On the building front, despite the frigid weather, we have replaced the ridge cap to eliminate roof leaks, are in the process of having a porch constructed, and are finishing the kid’s area. Next week, during my spring break, Dan Carrasco is flying out from Maranatha San Marcos to help us install a French drain around the building and re-gravel the parking lot. This will be our most expensive, and yet most necessary project to date. The long term integrity of our building hinges on this.
Please pray for the Lord’s continued provision and His protection. We could also use some nice weather as well. Speaking of weather, it is 60 degrees and sunny outside. I guess the winter wasn’t so long after all. Thank you for all of your prayers and support whether you are near or far.
God bless,
Mike