Being OK

Posted on by Gary Fultz

Our furnace quit as the outside weather decided to sit at -25 (f). The first “emergency” furnace guy didn’t have the right igniter. The second “emergency” furnace guy didn’t either, but he banged on a bracket with a hammer to make a “close enough” igniter long enough to spark in the “propane path”. HIs parting words were “it works for now; we will let you know when the right part comes in.” Meanwhile, I get to choose how much to worry or not. I have thoughts about how to protect our handicapped daughter’s inability to control her bodies temperature as well as freezing the waterpipes in the house. A bridge to cross if another emergency happens. I now have 5 electric heaters I can borrow and use in case of another emergency. I’m also going to have a spare igniter handy.

In northern Minnesota it’s wise to be prepared for extreme weather. One can blame the weather for life problems only so far. I like to define “the weather” as the circumstances we live in today. Our political circumstances, choices made by our leaders, choices made by our neighbors and even crimes that affect us is a part of “the weather” and climate we live in. It’s life. It’s always been that way in every time and culture that has ever lived.

Some of our winter weather coping pictures…we are ok. I keep some outdoor Christmas till Easter…The birds and squirrels add to the decor.

I like nice weather. I like comfort. It’s attractive. While we hit our high weather temperature today of -6 (f), my wife was browsing at condos on a warm beach on the internet and checking the numbers in our savings. “Wow they all look new” she said. “that’s because they just built them after the last hurricane” I said.

I cannot help but feel very blessed. Despite “the weather” of life I have a wife who loves me, Great kids and grandkids, Knowing God loves me and wants to shepherd me through all life’s weather. I have been reading and rereading Psalm 23. A simple psalm with layers and layers of depth, laced with scriptural threads of truths about our Shepherd weathering us through life. I also want to share the best book I have used in going through Psalm 23 by Brian Troxel from “A Word In Season.” Go to Brians site, sign up for his Blog and buy some books to read and give away.

You will want to buy extra for gifts. Trust me on this one…Depths shared simply.

My last thought about being ready for “the weather”. One should walk with God and let his spirit make us ready for anything. His fruit is much better than what the world tells us how to believe and behave. Galatians 5:22-23: “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

I hope you are wintering and weathering well.

Gary

34 thoughts on “Being OK”

  1. Gary, your faith, despite the furnace not firing properly, is evident. I feel your “we are good”. I’m sorry, my friends, for the loss of heat in extremely cold (an understatement!) weather!
    Your words warm
    My soul, Gary. The photos touch my heart. Each one is evidence of how you see our Creator’s world through HIS lens. He made you and your family very special. There are no other Fultz like you.
    I’ll check out Brian’s book and site.
    Through the weather of life, I’ll cling to the promise and hope. The fire of faith that can’t be extinguished through the breakdowns in life.
    I’m so glad you are well. Give the girls my love and prayers. I’m always praying for you all. Thank you for being an inspiration, Gary. 🙏🏻

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    1. Thanks for your “warm” comment Karla. Brian has a Blog as well as a podcast. A lot of depth there. It struck me that often those who have a lot of life’s really tough weather are more OK in spirit than much of humanity. You are an example of that. You shine brightly! (I think that’s a word)

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      1. It’s my blessing, dear friend. How kind! I pray I keep shining no matter what. It’s all God. You understand. Tania’s storms create a light in her that glows for us all, too!

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  3. Good to hear from you Gary! Our boiler quit too, Although the outside temps never approached the lows up by you. But electric heaters kept us warm and repairs were done. More so, God has provided for every need, all the days of my life. Keep warm, spring is just around the corner.

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    1. I would have to say the same here Robert. The needs of our life have been provided for…some of those stories are just fun to remember in hindsight. Not always fun at the time though.

      Yep, watching the weeks go by and counting the days till daffodils

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  6. “… our Shepherd weathering us through life …” Thanks for the encouraging reminder Gary, and your great pics of life well lived enjoying Creation with family and friends.

    No matter how chaotic, calm, cold or hot the life’s circumstances may find us in, or where anyone ranks us on the Popularity Scale, each of us are #1 in His heart and destined for a forever Home with where the weather is always perfectly ‘Son-ny’.

    Be Blessed brother! You and yours remain in my prayers

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  7. It’s hard for a southerner like me to comprehend weather so cold it can be life threatening. Extreme heat can do that too, and I’m fairly familiar with that. Each season of life has its own “weather.” I’m praying for you and yours during this one, Gary. Great pics as always.

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    1. I have a healthy respect for extreme temperatures David. this kind of cold can quickly become life threatening. Most of us have several safety plans in place when taking risks or just working outside away from any heat source. That being said, I would probably die quicker in extreme heat. One can put on a lot of warm clothes. Wicking layers, thermal layers and wind cutting layers. But, one can only take off so many clothes to not overheat….my northwoods rational

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  8. “-25.” I cannot relate (but kinda sorta close, effectively). “Meanwhile, I get to choose how much to worry or not.” I can definitely relate. But it’s always a great opportunity to stretch one’s faith and depend on the Lord and it works. Amen. “It’s life. It’s always been that way in every time and culture that has ever lived.” And those who went before us and figured it out teach us that all truly is possible. The good news is the Lord made fire for you before hopefully not too long a wait and all is well again for y’all. For now. And whatever happens next we will do what we’ve always done to do our best and honor the Lord by doing our part and He will take care of the rest. And that is REST. Amen. Thanks for the winter scenes, Gary, and another lesson in faith. (I remember one time long ago I was on my back working on my washing machine, got a tad miffed at one point, and hit what I thought might be the offending part with a big crescent wrench and quit. On a whim I tried and it started and ran great. I later told a guy at church testifying of the Lord’s greatness and he looked at me weird.)

    Weathering well…

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    1. I do like fire RJ. I wish our house could handle a wood stove. It can’t. The water pipes would freeze in a few hours. Thus a forced air furnace. We are weathering well in the present temperatures and our present culture. God and his word never changes. The true adventures of our lives are the winds of the Spirit.

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  9. I love the pictures, really awesome. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay Blessed.

    Hope the furnace issue gets fully resolved soon. It’s great that you’re prepared and keeping your family’s needs in mind. You’re absolutely right about life’s “weather” it’s all about staying grounded and having faith. Take care… 🙏❄️

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  10. Thanks Willie. Hoping to resolve our furnace problems this week and end up with a spare part. My trust level in furnaces goes down with the temps. My trust level with God gets higher with every trial….it’s frustrating to me that I can’t just skip the trials part. Ah yes, life…weather conditions and being a sheep needing the closeness of the shepherd.

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  11. I absolutely love your last paragraph. It certainly speaks to how we should live our lives day to day. Your photographs are beautiful. I think my favorite is of the deer by the stairs. Awesome. I also like the photo of the dog looking out the window. Of course, they are all wonderful!!! I hope that you and your family can stay warm in these winter days…praying for your daughter!

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    1. Thanks Linda. Yes, I think that just believing in God but not having that close daily relationship (daily walk) is like me having a furnace but no igniter…We get cold fast…as in any relationship.

      I had to build a gate on the back deck to keep the dog on the deck and the deer off. Thanks for the prayer. Our daughter is doing well with her own room heater, or the house is just too cold. Her body is drifting toward less and less function in several areas as her spine curves more and more (born with spina-bifida, 40 surgeries). She is an expert on life’s valleys

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  12. I am grateful I live in the warm southern climate of Nebraska where we are usually warmer than where you are.

    Whatever conditions we are in now in this life, it is all temporary. We can have an eternity in glory with Jesus.

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    1. so true Matt. I do wish our stuff lasted a little longer though. I can imagine that just about everything I buy when I turn 90 will have a lifetime warranty. When I turn 80…a limited lifetime warranty and when I turn 70, a good luck warranty.

      God’s promises are much better.

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    1. thanks Mandy. Thankfully our furnace is working with the right part, the right spare part and I kept the temporary mcgyvered part as well. I do need a better plan b though…

      I am reminded that there is no plan b for where we spend eternity. Anything outside of believing in Jesus dying for our sins is eternal death….the ultimate “playing for keeps”

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  14. Praying the furnace behaves itself and your family stays warm until that part comes in, Gary! That parting thought you included about being ready for “the weather” brought to mind what another Minnesotan told me as we prepared to move to the Midwest after 40 years in Florida: “There’s no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothing.” That too applies in the spiritual realm. We can stand strong in any weather as long as we’re clothed in the salvation of God (through Christ) and draped with his robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). (You have my permission to remind me as the need arises!)

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    1. Thankfully I now have a working furnace with the right part and I bought a spare part
      It’s a good insight to be clothed in God’s clothes…salvation, righteousness, holiness and set apart for his use in his glory. Love the visual. My imagination falls short of How God sees us…

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  15. I don’t know how I missed this post, Gary. We’ve had what’s considered a tough winter here in Maryland, too. Plus, my car developed transmission problems. Ugh.

    I was particularly struck by your statement about choosing to worry or not. Like most people, I have chronic health issues. They offer me the choice of worrying or trusting my life to God, whatever may come.

    Anyhow, try and stay warm. Spring is on the way, or so they tell me. 🙂

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    1. Anna, you have been in some wild weather over your way. We are having spring here for a couple of days….then??
      Take care. Winter storms and cold weather always remind me how big and deep and real the word “hope” is

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