things are not always what they appear

 

yesterday it looked like a beautiful layer of fresh snow covered my back yard

when I went out and walked to the shed I found out differently

the white that glistened was layers of sleet and ice

when I scraped it off my car windows it looked like snow cone ice

if I'd had some sweet, thick, sticky, flavored syrup, I might have made one

I listened to little prickles of ice bounce off of things all evening

as I sat at my computer last night I realized what I heard was different-

how in the world was it raining when the temperature was below 30?

I grabbed my warm raincoat with an attached hood and went outside

there was ice buildup on top of one of heating units

when I got back inside I discovered a disappointing truth

my sleeves and back were wet so it isn't a warm waterproof jacket

today the sun shone bright for a few hours

the sky was blue

it was absolutely beautiful

it looked warm and inviting

but it was a cold 18 degrees with wind making it colder still

these storms are reminding me that things are not always what they appear

seeds must be buried and die before they become what they are designed to be

heat under ore is not for punishment, but for refining

pressure is not for destruction, but for shaping

the night is darkest just before dawn

feelings are not reliable measures of truth and they make poor counselors

some of my greatest blessings have come from deep pain

some people around here have been without electricity for nearly a week

and tonight the city of Grayson is still, mostly, without power

it could look completely hopeless, but it isn't 

the power of love and human kindness is working overtime

people with power are freely sharing with those who have none

people with resources are not hoarding

people are reaching out and taking care of one another

love in action is a beautiful thing to see