This is what I saw first thing this morning. Before the sun was able to warm up the sky with light, the residual from the darkness lay stubbornly upon the window of my car. Evidence of frigid fog clung, determined to show that there is beauty that comes from darkness and cold.....only it can't be seen until the sun comes up. Each tiny frost pattern, different in it's own way, shined like a twinkling star in the sky. The intricate tendrils began to melt in a blink of an eye, and before I knew it, my vision was clear and I could see beyond the once crystalline confines. I have to say, I was a little disappointed that I didn't have time to sit and look awhile before the flaky design faded, but as usual, time left no room for that.
I can't help but compare this to experiences of life. Dark and cold times come in and out of our lives, most of the time unexpectedly. During the nighttimes of hardship or trials, we struggle. But when the dawn breaks, and the warmth of light penetrates the soul, we can see that somehow, good came from the difficulty. Tiny patterns of purpose are revealed, as we wait for clearer vision to move forth. But with the busyness of life, we seldom take the time to ponder the grace, the lessons, and the strength that came from the frigid and foggy stretch of time. We rush on, wanting desperately to see what lies ahead, and in a blink of an eye, we have forgotten that those crystalline confines right at the beginning of dawn, are meant to show us glimpses of the intricate plan of God in our midst. He puts grace marks that cling, right in front of our eyes so that we may know His mercy and care in every darkness of our life.
Take time to examine His goodness in every trial. Take time to notice that He is always with you, and His light follows every darkness, revealing glimmers of His plan and purpose in all things.
