Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Hope in an Ice Storm

There is a definite thrill as one listens for the WHOOSH of frozen leaves and icicles clashing together as tree branches tumble to the ground.

Just one week ago, my kids and I were frolicking downtown in crisp, barely-cold fall time weather as we gazed at pumpkin displays...and this morning, my kids were crunching icy grass under their shoes as they excitedly watched for falling tree branches.


When I first moved to Kansas years ago, many people declared to me that "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes--and it will change." As they said this, I could hear the pride in their voices as they reflected on the wonders of their state (because this was always presented as unique to Kansas). Well, I have heard this same phrase spoken in Oklahoma, and I'm guessing that people in many other states or regions throughout the country could say the same thing about their respective areas. The weather will be freezing cold in the morning, but quite warm once midday hits. You spend an entire day discovering pumpkins and red-orange leaves, and one week later, you huddle inside under blankets as an ice storm rages outside.


As I look at the drip drip of the slowly melting icicles on our roof, I think of how this unpredictable, ever-changing weather can remind me to hope. While I do not like ice storms, and would much rather dance through dry leaves in the deliciously chilled fall air, there is a beauty in this time. Furthermore, as quickly as the weather changed from fall time to winter, I know that it will sail back into fall time again (next week's temperature is forecast to be in the mid-sixties). Things may seem bleak outside now, but we will soon see the sun again.

4 comments:

  1. "Things may seem bleak outside now, but we will soon see the sun again."
    I feel like this could be a blanket statement for this year! Natural disasters, disease, civic unrest, etc. We'll see the sun again!

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    1. Very true! As "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" mentions, it's always darkest just before dawn. God is taking care of us, a fact that I continually rejoice in!

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  2. We say the same thing about the weather in Texas! There's beauty in each season (or afternoon) as the case may be. Way to go for slowing down enough to recognize it!

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    1. That's interesting that you guys experience a similar trend in Texas. It is nice to take in the beauty of it, though I do have to confess that it's a lot easier to recognize that beauty when one has power-I know people who have been without power for 6 days...this storm wasn't anything like what people have experienced from hurricanes, but it still definitely made an impact on the state!

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