Moonscape January 28, 2010

Moonscape, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Here in ND when you get a winter storm with blizzard conditions, that wind can be blowing at 50 miles an hour or more. It amazes me that little bitty birds aren't blown across the state. The creator has given them an amazing ability to ride out the storm. The wind can do terrible damage sometimes. Uprooting trees, carrying debris great distance and other damage can be expected. The wind also has the capability of creating beauty. Sometimes it piles up snow in lovely soft pillows as it fills in ones back yard. The strong wind blows tiny snowflakes into the trunks and bark of trees and in the sunlight they look to be wearing frosting. As a kid it would fill in our huge roadside ditches giving us a great place to slide and on the prairie it creates beautiful sculptures, each a unique, one of a kind masterpiece.

Sometimes in the midst of a winter blizzard you can't see what's a few feet away because of the snow being blown about. Yesterday a strong wind blew thru my life, my day. It was destructive, in part because I allowed it. I did and said things I regret but can't take back. I couldn't see the truth because of the fear, resentment, anger, frustration, fatigue and other factors swirling about. Later apologies were made, but damage had been done. I pray that God will heal the hurts I caused others to feel. It is my prayer too, that God will use this destructive wind to bring about something beautiful. I pray He uses it to teach me, to change me, to sculpt and mold me into the woman He would have me to be. In the meantime, I will draw ever nearer to Him whose love endures forever and whose mercies are new every morning.

Blessings

Winter Beauty January 23, 2010

After an evening of freezing rain we woke up Saturday to a beautiful snow scene! The flakes were huge some as big around an a n egg! They were wet and heavy, the temps near freezing. They landed and clung to the ground, the trees and branches and each other. The result is a dreamy beautiful scene. Looking out into it can be deceiving however. Just past this tree, past my back yard, the conditions for travel are very dangerous. Ice beneath new wet snow makes for very slippery roads. Wet heavy snow on the highway (slush) can pull your car, make you lose control and put you in the ditch or worse. I am safe with my loved ones, tucked in our homes and so we appreciate the beauty of the storm.

Sin, can be like the winter storm. As an observer, it may look harmless, appealing, mysterious. Like the storm, it's dangers may be hidden. A friend of mine uses the phrase "slippery slope" when one flirts with sin. Like the icy roads of the storm, sin can pull us, drag us, and we find ourselves at the bottom. There are no "sin advisories" from the media like when a winter storm hits, but God has given us very clear warnings in the Bible as to the danger and the consequences of sin. Would that we study the Bible and listen to the wisdom therein.

I have on occasion, traveled during a winter storm. I've run into trouble, ending up in the ditch or stranded due to no visibility. Someone has had to come rescue me, so thankful I had someone to call (my hubby! we have a Wrecker LOL!.) The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He also tells us that we can call on Him to save us (my Savior, He died on a tree!)

Enjoy the beauty beware the dangers.

Blessings~