ICE… “In case of emergency”… “frozen water, a brittle, transparent, crystalline solid.”

It’s winter here in Northeast Ohio.  There is snow (never enough snow for me).  It is quiet as it falls;  it is beautiful, and it is cold.  I feel safe in the snow and I am filled with peace.

When ice arrives, however, it becomes a different story.  Invisible on the roadways,  a car slides on a path of its’ own.  With no stop in sight,  it is downright terrifying.  The loss of control is staggering;  and, what you hope for is a smooth, safe stop to catch your breath.

It is, in fact, a moment which lasts forever.  Sliding aimlessly in a car opens up the speed dial to Heaven;  words that you are not even aware of fall from your mouth to God’s ears.  Am I praying for mercy or is “holy***t!!” falling from my lips!

Ah, ICE.  You scare me, you intrigue me, you define me.

Beautiful, frozen water.  If you have ever seen sunlight through branches covered in ice, you marvel at its beauty.  I grab for my camera to capture the peaceful glimpse of heaven on earth.  As I walk outside to take in the experience entirely, I bust my *SS on the sheet of ice that welcomed me.  Not so peaceful anymore.

So then, ice becomes ICE.  “In case of emergency.”

Who is your ICE contact in your phone?  Who will be called if you are unable to dial?

In Case of Emergency, call Jesus (this is crying out to be a country song).

There is no switchboard, no operator, no “hold please,” no “Jesus is in a meeting.”  He always answers.

Much like roadway ice, we cannot see Jesus.  Faith, by definition, is the belief in something unseen.  So, do we slide into His safety or do we slam on the brakes trying to take control?  (If you have ever slammed on your brakes on a sheet of ice, you will quickly find that you have no control.)  This is a perfect time to first pray for mercy and then forgiveness of the less-than-ideal words that are falling from your (my) mouth.

Arriving safely is a gift.  It is a chance to redirect, and check our speed.  It is a time to regroup in our breath and slow our fear-propelled heartbeats.  It is an opportunity to turn around and take another road.  Or, it is simply a moment to lay our heads on our steering wheels, close our eyes, and wait for peace to open them.

It is a moment to feel warm in the presence of ICE.

#holykitt#spotthecross

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