Snow on the Rooftops, Blossoms on the Ground

So did you all notice? Snow!

Saturday, out mowing; summer clad, soaking up rays.

Sunday, hugging the coat close as the wind whips into my bones

Monday, snow on the rooftops. And blossoms on the ground.

Spring in Illinois!

"It snowed" my husband said this morning. As I looked out the window I noticed indeed, the snow on the roofs across the street. But as I surveyed the green, (freshly mown mind you) grass, I had to peer more closely. Was it snow? No, but lovely white blossoms from a nearby tree!

Gotta love it! It makes life interesting, It reflects life's "real".

You know where this is going, right?

Can't we all relate with that reality that life is full of ups and downs, warm and cold, good and bad? We are on the mountain tops and then slide, or drop, into the valleys.

But for we Christians, how thankful we are for our God who is there in it all. With us. In us. For the way He can help us to take those times of cold, down and hard and use them to draw meaning. Depth. Gratefulness. Wisdom.

It does not happen right away. There are times when the valleys are long, the way is winding, the light at the end of the tunnel, obstructed. It is then that we walk on in pure faith. Trusting our God as we put one foot in front of the other.

How do you get through those times? Everyone handles hard differently. Some share and reach out. Others dig in and look up. Some personalities are quick to get through it all, and put that "pretty bow" on top. Others sit in the feels and allow them to deepen their ability to relate to brokeness.

God uses us all. No matter how we respond. No way is a wrong way as long as we are looking to Him and allowing God's grace and presense to carry us through. Whether we become a source of inspiration and encouragement via the "pretty bow" (of lessons learned and redemption realized) or come along side and sit with those in the trenches, after being there ourselves...with humility, God can be honored and His name glorified.

And sometimes, even like in this picture, the blossoms coincide with the flakes. God gifts us with times of joy in the midst of the challenge, in the center of the hard.

He knows what we need. He knows our hearts. In this we find courage. And strength.

So may the Lord bless your day. If you head out, bundle up, but keep your eyes on the glorious spring blossoms adorning the trees, and gracing the ground.

Our God is in it all!!

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:12-13