Most of us in Northwest Ohio have reached the point of saying, "Enough already with winter! We're ready for spring!" This seems to be especially true with the multiple winter storms we've been having lately.

I've been struck by how much attention we give to winter storms. We follow with great attention the forecasters' reports as soon as there is even a hint of a storm. We watch/listen to various reports as the amounts of precipitation and timing of the storm are adjusted. We track how it will affect travel plans and what events may need to be canceled. We even determine if there will be enough salt for the road crews to deal with the storm.  TV's, radios, web sites, even conversations all seemed to be tuned in and focused on this predicted event that may or may not happen!

I'm not advocating that all this is a waste of time or that we shouldn't be as prepared as we can for approaching weather and its affects. I just have to wonder if I pay as much attention to the "spiritual weather" in my life? Am I just as concerned about signs of approaching spiritual difficulties and whether I'll be prepared to face them? Do I monitor my own spiritual journey just as carefully? Do I gather as much information as I can from the most reliable sources and adjust my response accordingly?

One of the most helpful practices for this sort of daily spiritual monitoring is the consciousness examen. It is the simple, yet challenging, exercise of disciplining myself to review the spiritual journey of each day. This discipline can help me to be more alert to signs of approaching "storms" and to be prepared for them.  Some questions that may be helpful as part of this spiritual "weather forecast" may include:

- For what am I most grateful?

- In what ways was I aware of and attentive to God's action in my life?

- In what ways did I fail to recognize God's action?

- Am I closer to Jesus today, and more conformed to His likeness, than I was yesterday?

- How can I better prepare for the day ahead to open my heart to God's action and respond generously and wholeheartedly?

We may all benefit from a little more attention to our spiritual weather map, our spiritual storms and battles, and the welcome reprieve between storms. In everything, we have the awesome assurance that our loving God is with us always and in all ways.