Shadows spread across the snow like arms surrounding us with His presence. The last glistening sparkles from the trees are reminders of the light we reflect from Him who's presence is never failing. As the snow quietly melts into puddles, it is only a part of the cycle, it may be reformed into ice or meander into rivers and streams. So our lives go, also.
God may use us as we are or transform us through trials and successes, to be used as He best needs us. My daughters bloom and grow, and sparkle and fade through the phases of life. Through the difficult process of teenage years, they are also beginning to glow from inside beauty that is reflecting Him whom they desire to serve. How amazing to have a savior that they can speak to and cry to and even laugh with when they are lonely, or happy or sad. Never alone, they can face the trials and be comforted by the daily miracles of life around us.
Facing a friend with a serious disease, facing a life changing surgery, facing an accident that alters your course can all be blessings when you are able to turn them around to let God shine through you. We will all die. But how will we die? Will we die kicking and screaming, not knowing what will come next? Will we die singing praises and looking forward to the next place? Will we die with anticipation of seeing loved ones long gone? Will we die with a message to those around us that we have peace from knowing God, not only in life, but also in death? I choose life, but when that is done, it will be time for yet another transformation and I will accept it for me and my loved ones when that time comes. peace. alison

Change

Change is so very hard and we never know when it will arrive at our door. Sometimes it is invited in with open arms and sometimes we just want to push it away as though it is not real and we reject the change. Today we'd like to reject the changes, but they come anyway. A dear friend diagnosed with cancer just sucked everything out of us - such a shock and heartfelt pain - we don't want this change. My 2 daughters have grown up with this very, very special person as a constant through years of turmoil and pain, this friend was alway, always there for them with unconditional love. We expect her to still be there, but as my youngest said, nothing will be the same now. No, it will be different, but God does have a reason for everything. Perhaps all of the seeds of faith and love that have been sown will provide a harvest that will overwhelm her with love and, along with God's strength, restore her with another dimension in her life that does not come without trials. We will pray for that. We have seen God move mountains and this is just one more that we will ask Him to move. We don't see the whole picture, only He does and we get fleeting glimpses of His glory as we see Him reflected in others. She is one whom we have seen Christ reflected through. We will continue to see Him use her and shine through her, with hair or without - with strength and without, but prayerfully recovered fully when this trial is through.