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Nine days. Nine days we were without power.
My house was dark. Cold. Stagnant. Quiet.
The sun set early each night. No TV or computer screen cast its glow on our evenings. No phone calls would ring out over our phone line.
I was without power.
But there is a difference between being without power and being powerless.
**Pandora or iTunes may have been off the table, but I could still fill my children’s days with song.
**Downed lines may have made attending Mass impossible, but we could still talk to Jesus.
**Pretty overhead lights may have been useless, but warm oil lamps cast a soothing glow over hushed evening conversations.
**I may not have been able to bake fresh bread, but I could spill joy over my family as I laughingly cut hot dogs to fit on burger buns.
**Though hot water didn’t flow from the taps, that just made the precious bucket of hot water my dad heated each morning on his charcoal grill all the more cherished and appreciated.
…………..
Through it all, my eyes opened ever-wider to the truth:
We were without electricity. But we had the power to spark creativity, ignite wonder, and fan the flames of joy.
With God, we need never feel powerless.
Love it!
Thanks, Mandy. I need to remind myself of that more often.
Beautiful. I love this post. I am reminded about our many blessings everyday and I think – God has been so good to me!
I keep coming back to your blog because I am so encouraged by your perspective on issues. Today is no different; I was especially encouraged by this part of your post: “We were without electricity. But we had the power to spark creativity, ignite wonder, and fan the flames of joy. With God, we need never feel powerless.” So true!
9 days without power?!! That must have felt like an eternity!
Your positive attitude is a real eye opener.
I was frustrated and bored without power for a day. I was upset about the few food items that I had to throw away from a nearly empty fridge.
Why was I not thankful to have candles and a crank powered radio to listen to?
Why was I not more thankful that I hadn’t just gone grocery shopping and stocked our fridge, only to lose it all?
Thank you for being inspiring to have a better attitude for my many blessings!!!
[...] even a chance that a snowfall would knock our power out– I don’t want it. Nine days was enough, [...]