Y’all… 

I only say “y’all” when I’m trying to sound more southern than I am (which is frankly not very much at all). After experiencing this week of winter weather in Texas, though, I feel fully immersed in both the culture and infrastructure of this southern state. 

Freezing temperatures swept across Dallas about 10 days ago and haven’t left since. Along with the below-freezing temps, we accumulated more snow than this city has seen in a while. Due to the combination of long-lasting frigid temps and snow, Dallas and cities across the state truly shut down. As someone who grew up in the heart of the midwest, it was hard for me to believe this would be the case, but I’ve seen firsthand how detrimental these natural conditions can be in a place that is simply not equipped for them.  

Before I share a few of the implications the winter blast inflicted on Dallas and the entire state, I want to preface this upfront with the information that I am now safe and warm and so fortunate! Sadly, that hasn’t been the case for everyone, and this has been the scene around most of the state, really:

The roads have been sheets of ice without any salt or plowing to help clear them (Texas rarely experiences snow and doesn’t normally need this equipment). Widespread power outages have affected millions of homes and businesses (AKA no wifi, coffee, hot water, etc). Pipes started bursting in many buildings and homes due to the freezing temps and high pressure. The water systems of many towns are now contaminated (you must boil to clean it, but without power and/or gas, that’s hard to do). There’s been a gas shortage in certain areas as delivery trucks and tanks didn’t want to travel on treacherous roads. Most businesses and restaurants had to close down because they either didn’t have power or they did have contaminated water. Classes were canceled for the entire week.  and the list goes on. Total chaos. 

Even as a gal who’s familiar with a little snow dusting the streets, I’ve never had an entire week off of school due to the weather, and I’ve never witnessed an entire state shutting down like this. In the sorority house (before we were asked to evacuate), we noted that this felt a bit like the quarantine, plus power outages and worrying about basic needs.  A few of my first-world bubbles burst—like the crashing realization that wifi is most definitely connected to power; hot water is needed to brew coffee (embarrassing to admit, I know); and countless other things I take for granted are literally powered by electricity (not the best week to be an electric toothbrush user). 

This week hasn’t felt quite like a school vacation or break, but most definitely not like a normal week, either. It’s been a unique opportunity to pause, and it hasn’t been dissimilar to the massive global pause we all experienced almost a year ago. 

I had another blog post queued up for today (one I was ecstatic to share), but something in my spirit felt the need to address what has happened this week and share the reflections, convictions, and takeaways from this week. Even if you’re in a different climate right now, the conditions have illuminated revelations relevant to anyone, anywhere. So without further ado, here are the key thoughts that have continued to dominate my mind through this winter weather.

001:

My attitude can always, always, always make or break the day. This is true any day, every day, but especially when living situations and basic needs are in question. 

002:

There is purpose in every single day. God wasn’t wasting time this week. If I’m here—living, breathing, and safe—it’s no accident. I’m still a part of His grander story and can be used in many ways, even if they look a little different than what feels “normal” (whatever that word even means anymore, let me know).

003:

How many wake-up calls do I need before I become fully, 100% dependent on God? How many strippings of my schedule and busyness do I need before I realize that I have been running at a dangerously high speed? The fact that this is the second, complete, total stripping of normalcy, safety, and luxuries within this calendar year doesn’t feel random. It’s pretty eye-opening. It’s pretty eerie. It leaves me wondering—how am I going to carry these realizations and convictions forward with me? Do I need another pandemic or traumatic event to eliminate busyness and overextending myself? I sure hope not. 

004:

No matter what I do or try to tell myself, I’m not in control. Yes, I can make healthy, wise choices (and I most definitely should try to), but there’s so much that simply isn’t up to me. When my water supply is contaminated or there are rolling blackouts, there’s not much I can fix on my own accord. Total control is a myth, and I want complete surrender to God to be a daily offering.

I’ve been reflecting on these thoughts as snow graced the streets of Dallas for the first time in a very long while. I’m so grateful for the hospitality and kindness I’ve witnessed both personally in the home I stayed in, as well as across the entire city, state, and nation as people rallied together to make it through the thick of the storm. I’m praying the recovery and rebuilding of what’s been physically, emotionally, and mentally broken happens quickly and that we continue to apply the lessons we’ve learned in the past year—let us not be people who need a third wake-up call to make a change or shift our perspective.