Stuck in the Cabin

We are going on our third day of being snowed-in. Actually, my husband has dug his way out and ventured half a mile to the store. He doesn't relish cabin fever as I do! I mused this morning that these days haven't been much different than regular ones. In fact, there is a satisfaction of having accomplished my cleaning and washing in half the time, because of his capable help. Two are indeed better than one.

What a beautiful sight on the other side of the windows: a foot of blue-white, sparkling snow, reminiscent of a Currier and Ives image. After the work is done, I've loved gazing out the window at the glory of God, turning the pages of my Bible, allowing His promises to sink into my heart, asking Him to change it like only He can. The jubilant cries of kids come from another room as they burst in, throwing off their snow-crusted boots, warming their rosy faces. They have an excited exhaustion from hours of sledding and tramping back and forth. I have the cozy satisfaction that comes with such a day, and am glad.

"A Ride to School," Currier & Ives

Oh, that mothers these days would learn to love what we disdainfully call "cabin fever"! I realize that it's not all fun and games with very little children, so those in that season of life are exempt. But moms of older kids, why do we dread days like this? Is it because of the treadmill you're on, and are afraid to step off? Our culture is in a revolving door, and when we have a moment (or days) that force us to slow down, many have no idea how to be still. Deep down, I believe we are afraid to know ourselves in these quiet times.

I'm at a point in my life and walk with Christ that I'm afraid not to know myself. Too much time has been wasted not focusing on God's promises, who He is, and who He created me to be in Him. To be sure, asking the Holy Spirit to break through the lies I've believed about who I am and renew my heart and mind has been a process of painful refining. It's the only way to proceed.

Our front door view

The Holy Spirit recalled a passage to me yesterday:

"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him..." 1 John 3:20-22

What hope! Almighty God, the one who heals (Exodus 15:26), is greater than my broken heart. I choose to camp out here a while, maybe for a long one. I ask Him to fuse my heart back together and enable me to know, to really believe the promise that He is greater than anything my heart can come up with. In healing the heart, He renews the mind; the heart must come first. When our hearts are whole, then we have "confidence toward God," or submission to the supremacy of Christ, as John Piper says. 

How grateful I am to treasure these January days being stuck in the cabin! They are days of healing and hope, of candles, hot tea, shabby books full of wisdom and richness. They are days of laundry, cooking, ironing, cleaning, with whistling, prayers whispered, and heavy sermons in the background. There are quiet moments curled in a chair in my book-room, the place where I belong and can think deeply. These are days of growth, clarity, and goodness. Thank You, Lord, for keeping me in the cabin.