SNOW!

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What is it that makes these tiny white flakes so special?

They sometimes fall so softly, without a sound, and other times arrive in a howling, wind-driven swirl.

Then, when the storm is over, the world is quiet, all sound is muffled by the blanket of white.

ICE!

Ice makes that blanket of snow a treacherous surface.

Still as beautiful, maybe even more so, because the light causes those ice crystals to shimmer.

But much more dangerous because the slippery surface defies you to walk upon it.

As I discovered on Monday when I went out to care for my chickens. I did the early morning run on the Gator but later in the afternoon chose to walk, using the tracks I made in the morning. I made it to the coop, being very cautious, taking my time. But the return trip did not go so well.

I got to within inches of the garage door and slipped on the slight incline. I was well padded in my insulated coveralls so no broken bones. However, as I lay face down on the ice it became very apparent that “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” I simply had no traction. So I slithered  like a snake trying to reach the doorway – up a few inches only to slide back down. I finally managed to get my foot against the cement splash guard at the downspout on the garage and was able to push myself up enough to get in the door (thankfully I hadn’t shut the door completely) because I could only stand once I was inside the garage.

Lesson learned: Something so beautiful can also be something so dangerous. Just like sin. Satan wraps so many of the things that can destroy us in very enticing packages. This makes our relationship with the Lord so very important because He can guide the choices we make every day, warning us of the danger not apparent to us.

My Journey Through The Dark Valley – Day 77

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Saturday, July 13th – Day 77

Yesterday was difficult – a trip to the Register of Wills – more paperwork – and on the way home Garth Brooks was on the radio singing If Tomorrow Never Comes.

All of that triggered a lot of emotions and I woke up this morning with those lyrics running through my mind.

Sometimes late at night I lie awake and watch her sleeping.

She’s lost in peaceful dreams so I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark.

And the thought crosses my mind – if I never wake in the morning

Would she ever doubt the way I feel about her in my heart

If tomorrow never comes will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day that she’s my only one?

And if my time on earth were through and she must face this world without me

Is the love I gave her in the past going to be enough to last if tomorrow never comes

‘Cause I’ve lost loved ones in my life who never knew how much I  loved them

Now I live with the regret that my true feelings for them never were revealed

So I made a promise to myself to say each day how much she means to me

And avoid that circumstance where there’s no second chance to tell her how I feel

If tomorrow never comes will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day that she’s my only one?

And if my time on earth were through and she must face this world without me

Is the love I gave her in the past going to be enough to last if tomorrow never comes

So tell that someone that you love just what you’re thinking of

If tomorrow never comes

Lord, that was one impact that the lupus diagnosis had on our life.

We stopped saying – Some Day – and lived each day to the fullest.

Sometimes it was a big event – like our RV trip across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific and back, or the move to Missouri but more often it was simple things – like riding the fence line together in the Gator, a walk in the woods, working together in the garden, or sitting in the rocking chairs on the front  porch watching the humming birds.

Lord. I thank You for all those days together – even the difficult days – because those times made us stronger.

What an adventure You led us on!

And there will be a “Tomorrow” when at last You call me home and I see him again.