Ah, the Lovely Snows of Summer

Having grown up in the Midwest, I was used to the sensation of being stuck in snow. I’ll admit it hadn’t happened in quite a while, but it was not a totally unfamiliar situation for me. What was a bit unsettling was that I found myself stuck on a gravel road in nearly eight inches of fresh, wet snow on the last day of summer. My plans for the day had certainly not included this possibility.

Less than 48 hours earlier, my wife and I had been on this same road on our way to a hiking trail. It was all part of the vacation plans that we’d spend some time taking these short but enjoyable ventures on some of Summit County, Colorado’s most scenic paths. On this particular morning, the plan had been for me to return to the trailhead and take a different route than the one we’d followed a couple of days earlier. She would stay inside and enjoy the quiet of the morning tucked away on the mountainside. It was a good plan.

Unfortunately, neither of us thought we might have to alter the plan for snow. After all, it was still mid-September. Certainly, we realized there was the possibility for brisk weather, and we were prepared for that. Also, we knew that occasionally in this area one could expect early flurries. We were prepared for that. What we weren’t prepared for was more than eight inches of snow! The calendar proclaimed it was still summer, so we had planned accordingly.

There I sat in my rear-wheel drive car unable to go up the mountain road, and not faring much better as I tried to back the car into a three-point turn. It didn’t help that the ditches on either side of the road were steep, and that there were no signs anyone else had yet been foolish enough to drive where I was. A weak cell phone signal also wasn’t much consolation, and besides, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to explain my situation to the auto club.

Of course, one prays for wisdom and help at such moments, but it’s still embarrassing to ask for help in what is obviously a situation that could have been avoided with a little forethought and wisdom. While I knew my wife would be compassionate to my plight, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to explain the predicament to her until after it was over. Her last words to me as I walked out the door were something like, “Are you sure this is a good idea?” I wish I could tell you this was the first time she ever asked that question.

It was summer, and one should be able to count on the weather to cooperate. And, according to my own personal calendar, my vacation was about to end, and I still wanted to hike that trail. I’d waited a long time for this opportunity, and time was now running short. The thought of walking through the forest while others huddled safely in warm buildings was intriguing. As I sat in the eerily quiet forest with snow falling and building up on my windshield, I realized I’d been seduced by the calendar. According to it, summer was here, but I was stuck in snow in the middle of a blizzard.

Have you ever been seduced by the calendar? Maybe it didn’t involve snow, but it could be you’ve been led to believe that because you reached a certain birthday certain behaviors are expected. It could be reaching an age where society says, “It’s time to retire,” but you don’t feel like retiring and want to stay on a little longer. Peers or family are hovering, waiting for the announcement, but you’re not ready to make that proclamation. It’s somewhat like being stuck in the snow and uncertain of your next move.

Part of the challenge for such folks might be preconceived ideas about what it means to “retire.” If your concept of retirement is that all you’ve ever done and found meaningful now must be put aside, then you’re never going to want to retire. If retirement means the concept of one long, endless vacation, but you’re unable to afford that kind of lifestyle, then you’re going to be conflicted by the discrepancy between the calendar and your circumstances.

May I suggest a different mind picture for “retirement”?

Don’t get stuck pursuing detailed ideals that are inconsistent with your circumstances. Sooner or later you will likely need to make a transition from life as you know it now to something that others may label retirement. But you’re going to need to make peace with your plan. And, unlike the guy stuck in the snow due to his own bad ideas, don’t hesitate to ask the Father for wisdom.

Or maybe the calendar says you’re still a few years away from retiring, but you’re being led into opportunities now that require you to transition into the next stages of life and ministry. Don’t let the year of your birth rob you of the purpose of your life! You may be on the verge of stepping into what God has been shaping you for these past decades.

I’ve pondered many times the words of Jesus when He admonished us to become like little children in order to understand the Kingdom. Maybe that has something to do with not being so tied to calendars and expectations that we miss the opportunity to fulfill our Kingdom purpose.

Back to the car in the snow—I wish I could tell you the snow stopped miraculously, the sun came out, and I was able to move ahead with my original plan. But that isn’t what happened. With very slow and careful maneuvering, I was able to turn the car around and head back down the mountain. It required more patience than I am used to and a much slower pace than I liked. It also required me to abandon my original plan for the day. That was disappointing.

However, all was not lost. After carefully making my way back to the lodge, I settled on a “Plan B.” (I also impressed my wife with a slightly embellished tale of personal survival in the lonely wilderness.) What I had failed to realize during our few days in this location was the beauty along the paths that were right outside our doorstep. While my plans for a hike at a higher elevation didn’t materialize, I discovered a wonderful world of sights and sounds in closer proximity to safety. In fact, I captured some photos of that day that still bring a smile and pleasant memories.

While we can’t ignore the reality of passing time the calendar brings, we need to realize that ages and dates are just one piece of the total picture. Our God, who is not limited by time, has a wonderful purpose for each of us. As He unfolds that purpose, we can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the circumstances and providences of grace right where we are.

May all of your days, regardless of any numbers associated with them, be filled with joy as you follow His purpose.

Don Walter is director of Pensions and Benefits USA for the Church of the Nazarene.

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