Settle in

One day recently, I heard several people, encourage their listeners, their viewers to relax and settle in. I liked that phrase and thought about times we all might do just that.

“Settle in” is what you do

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• when you worked until midnight on the paper due tomorrow, and it’s still not done, but you stayed in bed because you hope the snow is deeper than expected and the guy on the radio just said your school is closed . . . and it’s Friday

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• when the road trip of a lifetime you’ve planned for over a year just started and the blue light which scared you passes you by and pulls over the guy who flipped you off a half mile ago, blowing past you doing at least 100 mph

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• when everyone in your family has the same favorite chair on the deck, the one that’s always in the shade, the one with the cushions that always stay in place, and it’s empty after you just got home from a long, not-so-good day at work.

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• when the pilot waited for you because he knows the next trip to your hometown is tomorrow and your connecting flight was delayed and you had to run full out from two concourses away and now you can recline your seat, take off your shoes and exhale

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• when you realize how very much you’re loved and that which you’ve sought all your life can never be earned and all you have to do is by faith receive the free gift offered to you and your heart learns what grace and peace are

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• when you’re so homesick in the city you moved halfway across the country to take your dream job and your mom made a surprise trip to see you and is downstairs making cinnamon rolls because she knows they’re your favorite and the smell is just amazing

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• when it’s gym class and they’re choosing up basketball teams and everyone on the court knows you’re the best player there, maybe the best player ever at that school, and wants to be on your team because they all want to be your friend, too

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• when the doctor tells you the test result you feared because your brother died from the disease it detects indicates your condition is highly treatable with today’s newest drugs and technology and you actually have a great chance for a full recovery

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• when your favorite author only publishes one book every two years, but you pre-ordered the latest one a month out and Amazon just delivered it to your front porch and you’re home alone all day because everyone else is at school or work

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• when your team finally made it to the Super Bowl and your quarterback who was hurt two weeks ago in the divisional championship and was doubtful today comes on the pre-game show to announce there’s absolutely no way he’d miss this game

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Remember those moments in life when reality surprises you with joy.

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