It happened yesterday.

I sat outside with the intention of reading for a little while until Kevin got home (I’ve taken some time off this week), but the little while turned into the better part of two hours. On top of that, instead of finishing the book, I mostly just sat there, my eyes drinking in the fine haze of green that is starting to appear in the landscape, the birds fighting at the feeder, the first appearance of one of our roadrunners, and the horses, obviously enjoying the sun and mild temps. It was 75° with a light breeze. What was not to enjoy??

Of course, I snapped a picture of my view from the porch and threw it out to the world of Facebook, noting the peacefulness and pleasantness of the day. But, immediately, they starting commenting…those poor souls that are still caught in the seemingly never-ending grip of the Polar Vortex. The poor souls who fear they will never know the warmth of the sun again.

That sounds so nice. The air this morning was sub-zero take-your-breath-away cold. No birds were singing. Hopefully next week we will catch a break.

5-8 inches on Sunday. Boooooohissssss!!

Sometimes you read a friend’s post about 75 degree temps and green and spring, and you kind of want to unfriend them. Did I mention we’re supposed to get more snow this weekend?

For a few minutes, I felt guilty that I had 75° and sun, when it seemed like I was the only one.

(I know. It’s the way I’m wired. Don’t judge.)

I scrambled back on, apologizing that I was warm and they were cold, but later I had to laugh at myself. Seriously?  Why couldn’t I just bask in the glory of the warm and enjoy the gift?

There are times when we’ve worked really hard for something that gains us the rewards of our efforts. Other times, out of the blue, and because of nothing we’ve done, we just receive a gift. Either way, there will be those who are suffering in the midst of our good fortune. Are we to ignore them? Absolutely not. We are never to ignore the needs of our fellowman. BUT, are we to negate the gifts in our own life because not everyone is experiencing them? Again, absolutely not.

In the times of sunshine and breeze, I think we need to be dancing in praise. Not bragging over our good fortune to bring others down, but bragging on a good God to bring others hope…hope that the sun is coming…hope that it will soon be their turn to dance.

It’s supposed to be 79° today, with a winter weather advisory for tomorrow, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to do a little dancing while I can! Join me, if it’s sunny where you are, and, if it’s not, well, maybe join me anyway, in the knowledge that there’s HOPE! The sun will eventually be on its way!

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV

“That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:12 ESV

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8 NIV