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Time Stood Still

Time Stood Still

Last updated on: May 23, 2024 at 9:30 am by Faith E. Richardson

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Time Stood Still 2024-04-06T09:06:12-06:00 Faith E. Richardson

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Ice artistry in a windshield of a Chevy Cruse

Time Stood Still, Photograph by Faith E. Richardson

God’s Canvas #3-Ice Artistry

Since I used this picture in a previous post, I wanted to give you the background behind it.

I Don’t Like to Be Late

Pride puts her shoulders back and puffs up her chest each time I arrive early or on time for an event.

I was told by a college professor that if I was not 15 minutes early, I was late and that stuck with me. Maybe to a fault.

Unfortunately, when it looks as if I will be late, Anxiety and Insecurity show up. They are no fun at all. They reprimand me, point out my flaws, and start making a list of the possible outcomes of my late arrival.

To say the least, I’m a mess.

September 24, 2017, was One Such Day

I was behind schedule and running late for worship practice. I was manning the PowerPoint presentation that morning and rehearsal is difficult when the words are not available for the vocalists to use during practice.

Insecurity was already stomping her foot. Anxiety grabbed pen and paper and started the list.

It only takes me 8 minutes to drive from my house to CenterPoint Church, and if I left right now, I’d be 10 minutes late. I could only hope that everyone was late, and practice had not yet started. fingers crossed.

I tossed items in a bag and slung it over my left shoulder. With my coffee in hand, I leaned over to grab my purse and felt hot liquid run down my arm. Really, God?

This was going to make me even later! I could feel Insecurity’s glare. She didn’t have to say anything. Anxiety handed me a rag and I cleaned up the mess, grabbed my things again, and headed outside for the car.

I stopped short when I saw the ice on the windshield. I hadn’t pre-started my car, so it was not defrosted. Insecurity through her hands in the air. “Good grief.” Anxiety rallied with Anger, who apparently just showed up. I could feel steam coming from my face.

I threw my items in the car, started the engine, and turned the defrost dial to high. I grabbed the ice scraper and stepped out the door. I looked up to heaven and declared once again this time audible, “Really God?”

Focus on What’s Important

When my attention was back on the car, I saw it. God’s artistry. It was magnificent. I stood there in awe. I couldn’t get enough. It was breathtaking. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and started taking photos. No one would believe this! So much detail went into every square inch of my windshield.

Insecurity pointed to her wrist and then rolled her eyes. I didn’t care about the time. This was a moment when God shared His Artistry with me, and I was going to relish in it. I didn’t want to scrape it off. I didn’t want it to defrost. I circled the car several times.

Finally, I noticed the front windshield had already started defrosting. I tucked my phone back into my pocket and I used the ice scraper to finish removing the remaining ice. This time so grateful for the art show. “Thank you, God. Thank you for sharing this moment with me.”

I jumped in the car and headed to church; certain I was going to be late for practice.

When I arrived and sat at the PowerPoint computer, exhausted, and frustrated with myself for being late, I noticed the other members of the team were just setting up. I checked the clock on the computer and saw I was 5 minutes early!

Time Stood Still!

I’m certain that if I had grumbled and complained while I scraped ice, instead of admiring God’s Artistry, this outcome would have been much different. But because I basked in this perfect moment with God, He suspended time and allowed me to arrive early for my event – something He knows is important to me.

What an amazing God we have!

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About Faith E. Richardson

Faith E. Richardson was born in Traverse City, Michigan. She lived there nine short years before moving with her mom to Fort Worth, Texas where she would remain for another eighteen years. After meeting Trent, the love of her life, they married and moved to Colorado where they raised their two children. Currently retired from decades of human resource work, Faith renewed her passion for writing. Her life experiences and dramatic flair for storytelling draw the reader in with thought-provoking material on the wonder and truth of spiritual encounters. It's her desire to get her readers as excited about the Holy Spirit as she is. You can read more about the author here.

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