Tire Chains

Our hearts have been greatly saddened by the tragic shootings in Tucson. This event reminds us that we live in a deeply fallen world and that life is a gift to be lived fully each day. As we pray for the families who lost loved ones and those who are still recovering in the hospital, we also need to pray for the perpetrator who also needs God’s love and grace in his life.

 This week, I am continuing to reflect on our recent trip to Colorado.

 Our driving to Colorado was uneventful. (We like the “uneventful” winter trips!) The roads were clear and dry which is something we are always grateful in cross country winter driving. One of the things I like about my GPS is that it tells me the elevations. The high plains in Western Kansas are around 4000 feet with no mountains in sight. As we were getting closer to the cabin, I wanted to see at what elevation the ground was covered with snow. That mark did not come until around 8300 feet. The cabin is situated at around 9400 feet.

 The drive went fine, even over snow covered roads, until about 200 yards from the cabin. There the road is quite steep and even though the road had been plowed, it was covered with packed snow and ice and we could no longer get traction with our front wheel drive. The four kids tried to push us up the hill but the road was too steep and the van too heavy to go too far. Fortunately, a neighbor came by and offered to pull us with his 4 wheel drive pick-up. It was an easy task for him to pull us to the cabin. The next day we drove down to Buena Vista, about 20 miles away, and purchased a set of chains for the front wheels.

 I had never put on a set of chains on a car before and the test came that next day after we had purchased the chains and began the climb back to the cabin. It was snowing heavily this time, even down in the lower elevations. We stopped at a level place, Phil read the instructions, and we installed the chains. They worked wonderfully! They gave us that extra traction to get us going and keep us going easily up the steepest snow covered roads. We got pretty good at taking them off and putting them on as we did not need them in the lower elevations.

 Sometimes we need a “set of chains” in life when we just can’t seem to get going on some things. At times when we are “spinning our wheels” we need that little extra help to get us going and keep us going. Instead of just sitting and revving the engine and not getting anywhere, we need to stop and take the time to do what is necessary to get us going. We also can be the “chains” that can help someone else who is spinning their wheels. A word of encouragement and support can give someone the traction that is needed to get going again.

 This experience with the chains also reminds me of our Psalm reading for this week, Psalm 40: 1-2

I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

One final thought for today. Today (January 14) is my daughter Julia’s 20th birthday. Julia is our youngest offspring, so we no longer have a teenager in the family. In one way Julia’s birthday makes me feel quite old. In another way, it is a time of celebrating the many good experiences we as a family have had over the years. It is amazing how the years have flown by.
 

 I have included some more pictures from Colorado.