Beginning Tuesday night Kansas City was hit with a major ice storm. In fact, they are calling this the worst ice storm in Kansas City's history. We, along with 210,000 other homes and businesses, were without power for two days. Some still do not have their power back. Well, we lived for two days like we were in the "Little House on the Prairie" days. We lived in one room (the one with the fireplace), read a lot, and spent some good quality time together as a family. There were no distractions. The television, computer, and video games were all dead.

I believe it was good for us to have to live without electricity for two days. We all too often begin to take things for granted. It is amazing how for granted you take walking into the bathroom and flipping a switch. Heat, light, cold milk...we expect these things. Well, when they are taken away it is so easy to gripe and complain. Take that concept one step further. We take for granted the presence of the Lord in our lives. Just as you may go the whole day without flipping on a light in the house, we may go all day without giving God a though. But what happens when it is dark and the light doesn't turn on? Likewise, what would you do if you went to God and He wasn't there? Well, Jesus faced that very experience as he hung on the cross for our sins. God turned His back Him. He had to. God cannot look at sin, and Jesus became every sin you and I have or will ever commit. Jesus was willing to go through the agony of being separated from God so that we wouldn't have to be. So even though you can't be guaranteed that next time you flip a lightswitch the light will come on, you can be guaranteed that the next time you go to spend time with God He will be there. Nothing in this life is certain, except Jesus.

I pray that you will begin to look at your luxuries with new eyes and thank God for everyone. But especially be thankful that He was willing to sacrifice His one and only son for you!