Shelter from the storms of life

Today I am thankful for shelter from the storms of life...a warm house on a could snowy day, cuddling in a warm blanket with hot chocolate, a smile from a friend, an encoiuraging hand to help you up, loving arms to hold you, someone to make you laugh, a set of eyes that meet yours and just know, someone nearby who loves you and believes in you.....until you are ready to brave the cold cruel world and face it once again.


Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a fan of winter or snow or cold or dark...none of it...nope, not in the least little bit.  I used to make the kids sing "I'm dreaming of a green Christmas....",  There is nothing at all lovely or peaceful or romantic about it....I just have to grin and bear it and hope it passes soon.  So, you might imagine that I was not super thrilled to the sight I woke up to this morning.  Luckily, when I got to work, there was no sign of snow at all......and that was the end of that, for now.  I know it's coming, I know it's around the corner and I am trying to brace myself for it.  But it does make me thankful that I have a home and  heat and a safe place to provide shelter from the elements.

Life can at times, be cold and snowy and dark....and at those times we need to look for shelter.  It is there.  We need to be that shelter for others when they need it.  That is part of what it means to be human, I think.  It means not only thinking of our own comfort...but thinking of others and doing what we can to help in their time of need.  I am thankful to all those that have provided shelter to me when I was in need.  I pray that I will be able to see others in need and offer them the shelter they seek.

"When you try your best but you don't succeed

What you get what you want but not what you need

When you feel so tired but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse

When the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you"

~ Christopher Martin, Guy Berryman, Johnny Buckland and Will Champion