Greetings from the frozen tundra of Dallas, Texas. I spent the last week on a mission trip in Cuba, where the weather felt like June in Texas. We returned yesterday through Cancun; we had a long layover, so we took a taxi to one of the beach hotels for breakfast. The temperature was in the 80s, with bright sunshine. The beaches were stunning.

Our flight home to Dallas was delayed for more than two hours because the plane coming from the Dallas airport had to be de-iced--not a good weather sign. We arrived last night to 26 degrees, iced roads, and sporadic sleet. Have you ever wished you could rewind the tape just a few hours?

I have nothing on Mike Sargent, according to today's Dallas Morning News. The man won $25,000 on a Wheel of Fortune lottery scratch-off three weeks ago. He has yet to see a penny of the money, but has lost several days of work, is taking "nervous pills," and has spent $2,500 of money he doesn't yet have to try to redeem it. "I wish I hadn't won it," he said yesterday.

Mr. Sargent purchased the ticket at a convenience store on a Tuesday night, and learned he had won the money. He wrote his name and address on the back of the ticket and signed it. On the way home he realized he did not have the ticket. He, his family, and members of his church searched the convenience store parking lot. He went through every Slurpee cup in the trash. He put up posters and went on a radio trade show. On November 19 he received a call from someone who found the ticket and wanted $2,500 to return it. Mr. Sargent paid the money and gave the ticket to the Lottery Commission. Because someone apparently tried to erase his signature on the ticket back, the matter is still under investigation. And Mr. Sanders says he's learning to depend on the Lord.

So should we all. Working in Cuba taught me again that little in life is certain. Christians on the island are among the most dedicated, sacrificial, and joyous I've ever known. While their political circumstances change with the weather, their faith in Jesus remains the one constant in their lives. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), but he's the only one. God sends me to Cuba periodically to remind me who is in control, and that it's not me.

Life's lotteries can be gone in a moment. Sunny beaches become ice-slicked roads. So, who is in control of your Thursday? You are, unless you have given your day intentionally to Jesus this morning. You're flying the airplane to an uncertain airport, unless you've made him the pilot. Don't wait for an icy landing--do it now. Well?

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