Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. (Psalms 25.4)

I grew up in Southwest Minnesota. The winters there can be very cold and filled with blizzards. Many times, we would be at school when the wind would begin to blow and the snow would start blocking the roads in the country. School would then be cancelled and the buses would line up to take us home. In town the weather never seemed that bad but out in the country, it was another story.

I remember a day when school let out early. I got on the bus and sat down by my friend. My sister Kris sat in front of us. We were around eight and nine years old. The mood on the bus was celebratory. We were getting to go home early! My friend Debbie had brought a bag of popcorn with her so we sat on the warm bus and munched our way home. I don’t think we were concerned about the weather. We were just happy to be heading home early.

When the bus pulled up at the end of our long driveway, Kris and I got off. I doubt that we were bundled up as well as we could have been. We hadn’t been paying attention to what was happening outside. When the bus pulled away, we were hit with a cold wind that took our breath away. The snow was blinding and was hitting our faces like needles. The driveway was blown shut with snow. I remember wanting to lie down because the wind was hitting me so hard. I didn’t know how we would make it home. At that moment I saw a shadowy figure coming towards us. It was our Dad. He had been watching for the bus and had come to meet us. He took us each by the hand and led us through the grove where the trees provided some relief from the wind. Before we knew it, we could see our house up ahead. I believe that he saved our lives that day.

I’ve often thought about that moment and how it applies to my life today. Many times, we are not prepared for what we face. We don’t know which way to turn and sometimes we feel like giving up. I believe that it’s in those moments that God takes us by the hand and leads us home. He may lead us by a different route than we expected or would have considered but we can trust Him to keep us safe. He watches for us and guides us home.

Melody Maass
Pastoral Assistant