It's not always what it seems...

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

     We have had some tremendous amounts of snow this week.  More than two feet in most of my local area.  As I look out the window I can't help but to think how awesomely beautiful it looks... but then reality sets in...(doesn't it always?)  And I realize that I have to shovel it....(I shoveled snow for over 5 hours one day).  I am reminded how dangerous it can be to drive in it...  And as soon as I open the door to step outside I am quickly reminded that it's cold out there.... So there you have it.  Beauty is not always what it seems.   
     
       People are kind of like snow in that what you see on the surface is not usually everything it seems to be.   But we often make "snap judgements" based on what we "see" on the surface.   Someone who seems to be always joyful and cheerful might really be hurting inside.  Someone who seems to be really miserable might actually be quite nice if we get to know them.   Someone whom you think doesn't care for you because they never say good morning might really just be to shy to say hello to someone they don't know well.    And sometimes there is just so much going on in a person's life that they might jump from one emotion to the next without any rational explanation. 
 
       They call it an "oxymoron" when something happens and it should be good but it could also be bad.... when two things that are together don't really belong.   I am currently finding that death is an oxymoron.  Someone dies.   We are sad and hurt very badly because we will miss them.  But yet, if we believe God's word we realize that we will see them again.  We know that they were not happy with the way they were in life, with failing health and an inability to function at the level they would have liked to be functioning at.  

      We know that death is the end of pain and suffering.  That with God, they are healthy and strong and painfree.  But still we cry.  We should be happy for them... and in our own way we are.... but still we cry.   We make jokes and laugh to hide the pain... but still we cry.    We have God to take care of our needs, but especially if the one whom has died is a parent, we feel abandoned and left to fend for ourselves.... even though we know better... and still we cry.  We feel like our heart is breaking and yet we know we should be glad that they are with God.... and still we cry.  We know that if it were us in their situation we would rather be with God... and still we cry.  It's got to make you wonder....

       Dear Lord,  please help us to see You working in our lives during all of our situations.  Please remind us that it is not always what it seems. Please help us to cling to You and to not make "snap judgements" of others.   Beauty on the surface does not always run deep.  You know what's in our hearts.  Please just wrap Your arms around us and hold us tight so that we really feel Your protection and love in our lives.  And thanks so very much for being so patient with us...