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Snow Is Like Your Problems...

Last week, I wore chacos. I had to wear a sweatshirt too, but that's not important. The important part is, it was warm enough for CHACOS. (If you don't know what chacos are, you need to look them up. They are the only summer footwear you'll ever need.) Today, there is three inches of do-not-wear-chacos-if-you-value-your-toes on the ground. And it's still coming down. I guess it's back to the boots.

At first I was frustrated. I mean, come on. Why the tease of summer if it's only to be snatched away again?! But as usual, God was like, excuse me, there's a lesson here if you're paying attention...

The snow is like our problem(s). We can either be frustrated by it, and consequently nothing will be happy today, or we can see the beauty in it, take it for what it is, and choose joy.

And now for a string of Maxwell Smart-like "Snow is like your problems because...." (see the Get Smart episode "A Tale of Two Tales" if this makes no sense):

Snow is like your problems because you can either look for the good in them (snow is pretty), or be blinded by the obvious bad (you have to shovel snow).

Snow is like your problems because if, while driving in it, you grip the wheel and stare straight ahead in sheer terror (focus only on your problem), you miss the peacefulness of still trees heavy with snow (the benefits of your problem).

Snow is like your problems because it slows you down. You can be annoyed that you're slowed down, or you can enjoy it, and maybe even stop here and there to see the sights.

So basically what I'm saying (and mostly to myself) is that if you take your focus off everything that's wrong, and focus on the good stuff that God has given you (and that good stuff may be the consequence of your problem, so really, be thankful for it), your frustration level will drop significantly.

Now excuse me while I go dig out the clunky boots and shovel the now four inches of spring off the walk.
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