I am going be honest and admit that when I woke up this morning–which happens to be the second day of spring–and discovered that five inches of snow had fallen overnight, my first reaction was not happiness.
I was slightly irritated.
This has been a long winter.
Lately, spring has seemed so close, tantalizing us with lots of sunshine, warm temperatures, and gentle breezes…only to disappear entirely this morning, leaving us with another day of gray skies, snow, and cold.
As I turned from the window to start my day, this verse immediately came to mind: “I have set before you today life…” (Deuteronomy 30:15)
Life is a precious gift to be treasured.
This is the day that the Lord has made and I am commanded to rejoice in it (Psalm 118:24).
Was I really going to complain about the weather???
A few minutes later, I read what my friend Margaret had posted on Facebook. While most of the status reports were filled with complaints about the snow, her status was a like a breath of fresh air: “I’m enjoying possibly our last glimpse of winter wonderland before spring fully arrives. Beautiful white flakes coating the trees. What a gift!”
Rather than enduring a gray day, she was enjoying it.
Instead of just seeing snow, she observed a winter wonderland.
She was fully embracing reality…rather than wishing for what might have been.
I decided to follow her example and spend the day looking for all the simple joys I could find.
Among other things, I reveled in the following:
* snow coating the trees all along the roads, creating a canopy of dazzling white
*having a bowl of Lucky Charms for breakfast that made me feel like a kid again
*laughing with friends at lunch
*the sun breaking through the clouds, chasing away the gray
*patches of bright blue sky that hint of summer
*the sound of melting snow, reminding me that spring really is here and winter’s tight grip is loosening
*the sprinkle of freckles across my son’s face
*embracing my husband in the middle of the kitchen and asking him to dance with me
*the clear, sweet sound of my daughter playing her flute
*the delightful taste of a chocolate chip cookie
*reading such a beautifully written blog post that it moved me to tears
*having a long talk on the phone with my mom
*finishing a chapter of a good book
*singing praises to my beautiful God while listening to Third Day’s new album
*being grateful that I have eyes that see, ears that hear, and limbs that work
*getting an upbeat email from a dear friend who wrote to tell me that she loves me and is praying for me
My day was transformed by searching for the simple joys.
There are treasures everywhere.
Look for and celebrate the simple joys in your life this day…I would love to hear about them. 🙂
Power Of A Moment 
My devotional earlier this week included a call to count our blessings, and I intended to but never got around to it….until reading your inspiring post! Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
I’m so glad you were inspired, Su! I’m sure you are going to have a wonderful day treasure hunting! 🙂
Okay–I love doing this and today as a special Lenten gift, I’m going to look for all kinds of treasure. You will see my list later today! AhA–let the treasure hunt begin. OH, found one already. He is white, furry, loving and laying on the foot rest of my recliner, right now. His name is……da-da–let the trumpets sound— Andrew Donald!
Elaine, I knew Andy would be on your list! 🙂 Can’t wait to read the others!
Thanks so much, Susan, for linking to my post and for your sweet words both here and there. I enjoyed this glimpse into the treasures of your day, all of them gifts worth celebrating. I’m a particular fan of freckles. 🙂
Love to you.
Jeanne
Thank you so much for stopping by, Jeanne!
Your blog is an absolute TREASURE! Your faith is beautiful…it truly inspires me.
Blessings to you,
Susan
We’d all do better to see through the eyes of winter… to understand that buried beneath our cold, barren, and seemingly desolate, awaits a spring blossom sure to thaw the heart.
I’ve been seeing those blooms all around me today… in 85 degree weather! Winter seems so long ago, and yet my soul tells me otherwise.
May the sun shine fully on your life this day!
peace~elaine
Beautifully said, as always, Elaine!
I’m thrilled that you stopped by my little spot in blogworld…I feel like I’m writing to a celebrity! 🙂 I’ve been following your blog since you provided a link to your post “Love Tied To a Tree” on Beth Moore’s blog years ago and you have consistently inspired me with your radiant and blazing faith…particularly through your cancer journey.
You bless many…thank you for sharing your gift with all of us! I keep you in my prayers.
Blessings,
Susan
Okay–here’s my treasure list from yesterday—–
My furry “lover-boy”, Andy Don
picture of my brother on a kid’s swing
bathtub video of Keenan
daffodils and pussy willows in a vase
thoughts of my dad and how he liked the above
finding cute clothes for all of my grandchildren for Easter gifts
breakfast with Linda and Sandy at Cracker Barrel
sunshine
reading Power of A Moment and sharing website with Edie
Reeko Birdie
battery powered
radio w/ fresh batteries during a storm
knitting afghan for Tom
laughter in the middle of Target
sense of humors
the sound of rain on the skylights
commercial timed phone call w/ Jan as Survivor is discussed
reading my kindle in bed
saying goodnight to God
Well, that’s my list! I’ll see what I can find today.
Elaine, I LOVE your list!!!! Thanks so much for sharing and wishing you another joy-filled day of treasure hunting! Love you! 🙂
My treasure of the day was totally unexpected and absolutely made my day. Last month, when we were in Florida, we had a chance to visit with Jon’s brother, Mark, and his daughter, our niece, Megan, who were visiting the sunshine state from Maine. We only got to spend a few hours together, because they were coming as we were going, but it was a sweet, sweet time, non-the-less. This afternoon … there was a darling note, in my mailbox addressed to “Destiny Doremus and her Men” but the inside, the inside was addressed just to me and it was simply signed Mark. I didn’t even pull into the driveway to open and read it. I read it in the street — without even taking the time to put the car in park! The message was precious and will forever mean so much to me. It said, in part, “We had a wonderful time with you. It feels like you moved South much longer than eight years ago. Every visit now is special.” I cried and cried, the happiest of tears. It was one of the best gifts I have ever received. Today, I am most grateful for the treasure of family, and of restoration of relationships and for the magic that happens when we take the time to put pen to paper… ox, me
Destiny, thank you so much for sharing! I absolutely love that! 🙂 You bless so many….love you!