May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5

Those words were easy for Paul to write, but they're hard for us to do.

Case in point: Quebec's Guylaine Desaulniers, who has been waging war with her community's snow-removal contractor.

The battle began last November when Desaulniers cleared out her driveway. This she did by throwing the snow into the street. The community informed her that this was a no-no. They also sent her a letter which said if the practice continued, she could receive a major fine.

Now I don't know what Desaulniers did after she got that letter.

I do know what a driver for the snow-removal company did. He plowed the streets clean enough, but as he did so, he made sure he left a large load of wet, compacted snow in Desaulniers' driveway. Then, having surveyed the size of the pile, he backed up and added another load.

Those of you who live in places where winter is serious business may swear the same thing has happened to you. Indeed, I've talked to more than one person who said, "I saw the face of the driver as he filled in my freshly shoveled driveway. He was laughing like a maniac."

So, how are we supposed to deal with folks like those drivers who throw snow into your driveway, and if you are one of those drivers, how are you going to deal with folks who throw snow into your street?

Now I wish I could point to a passage which gives a ready, easy answer to that question. I wish I could, but I can't. The best I can do is refer you to the text above. What does it say again? May the God of endurance help you live in harmony.

That's God's way of saying your problem isn't going to go away soon. You're going to have to hang in there and do the Christian thing. You're going to have to endure people who rattle your cage.

As I say, endurance is the Christian thing to do. Remember how Jesus endured rejection, spite, hatred, misinterpretation and misunderstanding?

He suffered much. He endured much, so we might be saved.

Now the Lord encourages us who have been redeemed to glorify the Savior and emulate Him in endurance, in enduring those whom you don't like and who probably don't like you.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, first allow me to give thanks for a Savior who endured all the world and devil could throw at Him so I might be saved. Next let me ask for an attitude of endurance and patience with others. Especially with them, may I reflect the Savior's patience. In His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 32-33    Matthew 14:1-21

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