We had frozen pipes today. I went to turn on the sink faucet and our water wasn’t running. Of course we have guests staying at our house. Of course we have two volunteer groups in town. Of course we were hosting a brunch this afternoon.

 

Apparently we had a cold evening. Here in New Orleans experiencing the cold has been especially difficult. We know New Orleans to be hot and humid not freezing cold. Yet, over the winter months, our cold is especially chilling because we are simply not prepared for it. Our homes don’t have insulation, our pipes are exposed, we don’t normally wear scarves, hats, boots and gloves.

 

So now we know… leave the tap on at the farthest point in the house so that the water keeps running. Who knew???

 

It just makes me think of how much more learning we have yet to do while accompanying the people of New Orleans. We must constantly be re-adjusting what we know in order to make room for the knowledge and the gift of each person that we cross paths with.

 

Know that Christmas has come and gone, we enter this incredibly Ordinary Time. This time is marked by celebrations of Carnival leading up to Mardi Gras and times of routine and regular-ness that are deceptively faithful.

 

Today’s Psalm reminds us that we are all blessed with peace. The peace that I received today came in the form of new knowledge which changed my habit or routine. 

 

What peace are you invited to receive today? How is God continuing to open you up to new things that eventually change your daily life enough to make room for new ways to relating?

 

We pray that it doesn’t take the extreme of a hurricane devastating your community or a pipe freezing on you to get you to change. But, if that’s what it takes… may the peace of the Lord that is beyond all understanding be with you!