The ice storm that started last night is totally outside my control to do anything about. I can read the weather report and see what may happen and I can read the news to see what did happen, but I am just a bystander. But, wait, there are some things I can do ;

1. I can choose not to fret or worry about the trials of severe weather. We all tend to be anxious about what we can’t control. I have memorized Psalms 46:1-3 and times like now I meditate on it.

Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

2. I can anticipate what problems there might be and prepare to deal with them if they do happen. The biggest problem I could see happening, that was predicted that would happen, is the electricity to our house would be lost. We have a wood stove and propane lanterns, but we have three freezers full of frozen meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit and it would all be lost if the electricity went off for several days. So yesterday morning, I found a reasonably priced generator that was large enough to run our water pump or freezers. It is now ready to start and we should be able to flush the toilet no matter what happens.

3. I am going to have some extra time at home because it is risky to drive anyplace so I made an updated “todo” list of things I can do around here, and because it is so cold I will make them inside chores.

4. And I might as well sleep in and enjoy a nice breakfast; woh, I can smell the bacon now!