THE BEAUTY OF A WINTER’S DAY

This morning, when I got up, I poured my coffee gave it a splash of french vanilla, then headed into my tv room to watch the morning news.

My heart broke as I watched and heard the devastation resulting from a tornado that ransacked through the states of Alabama and Georgia. I cannot imagine the sadness the families and friends are enduring for the twenty-three men, woman, and children who died. As my eyes, watched the videos of flat land filled with debris, where once stood homes, I found myself praying for God’s mercy and healing then thanked Him for my blessings.

As the morning gathered itself together, with the first light of day slowly making its appearance, I stood ready by my patio, door, holding my coffee, thinking, how beautiful the snow looked.  The trees, bushes, electrical lines, and even my bird feeder looked as if an artist snuck in during the night and painted a masterpiece.

My ears continued to listen to the interviews of those who had lost everything during the tornado, while my eyes were capturing the beauty outside my door. My ears heard the sorrow, from families weeping for their children who did not survive the storm, as tears crept out of my eyes and sadness took root. And yet my eyes kept scanning the white mounds of snow outlining the branches of the bare trees.

Although my back was turned away from the tv, I still could hear the fear in their voices. And I felt their broken hearts.

As I continued sipping my now cold coffee and gazing at the white snow, I thought about how the beautiful white snow embraced everything in its path. At that moment I bowed my head and prayed for strength for all those struggling with the pain of loss in Alabama, Georgia, and everywhere devastation, fear, and broken hearts reside.

Then I finished my prayer with amen and opened my eyes and once again soaked in the landscape still dressed eloquently for winter.

And there it was. The pure white snow reminded me there is a greater love for all of us. A love that knows no bounds.  A love that assures us we are never alone.  Love that touches our hearts and plants seeds of faith and hope.

Dear Readers,

Please pray for all those who have suffered so much in Alabama, and all areas where the weather has created so much devastation.  Thank you.