There was no scent of disaster; there was no alarm. No where could I see signs of an impending catastrophe. Monday morning life, as usual.

But as I became colder and colder to the point of concern, I realized something was wrong with our heating system. I called Tom (my first emergency contact!) who then called a heating specialist. Within minutes of his arrival and checking out the system, the heating unit was disabled. -by law, he said!

The insidious lethal gas, carbon monoxide, had been slowly invading the rooms of our newly decorated home. Not only was the entire unit  kaput, it was potentially dangerous.!

It was a good thing the weather was not as cold as it had been two days earlier; we stayed minimally warm for 24 hours and are now the grateful owners, albeit, poorer 🙂 of a new heating system.

I reflected on our small “misfortune” in light of the devastation produced by storm Sandy and realized we really had no major problem–EXCEPT if I had gone to sleep when I wanted to on Monday morning, rather than calling Tom!  Then I just might not be here typing on Thursday!

Another reflection of this week’s event made me aware of how painless–without warning, minus any alarm sounding, I could be “dead” to God and spiritual truths. If I continue in the mundane happenings of the days, oblivious to His presence, not reading or hearing His Word, failing to bask in the fragrance of His nearness, I could find myself asleep or dead to His plans, His purposes, His joys for the Now. The heating system was working–at least, it was on, blowing air–just blowing the wrong air and not altering the temperature one degree.

We now have two carbon monoxide detectors in the house!

And I–you– have a spiritual detector within me/you. As you and I stay so near His heart, listening for His whisper, we will not be overcome by the subtle, often silent, deadly distractions for today.

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps. 119:10-11    My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promises.” v 148.