Snow, Snow, I Love it So!

                 I am grateful for the kind response to my previous post in comments here and on Facebook. I am glad I decided to share something personal because it helps me feel more of a connection with those who read it. Thank you! This time, I’m going to go with something a little more light-hearted. Let’s talk about snow!

                I’m going to start with a verse, because it fits so well with this story. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” It started with a small prayer I had on my heart when I first moved in to my new home in August 2019. I noticed the beautiful view I had from my bedroom window, and I imagined how beautiful the yard and view beyond would be if it was covered with snow. Those who know me pretty well, know that I love winter, snow, and all the wardrobe, cozy blankets, and hot cocoa that come with it. As that winter of 2019 to 2020 came and went, I prayed that it would snow and was a bit disappointed that all we got was a very light dusting in January. In fact, it had been years since my part of Oklahoma had received more than an inch or two at a time. December 2020 started off fairly mild, and I thought it would be another dry winter. My prediction proved to be quite wrong!

                On December 13, we got a beautiful, thick snow that covered my yard with the blanket of white that I hoped for. When it had all melted away by the 18^th, I figured I wouldn’t be seeing much more until the next winter season. I was grateful for the “one time” winter wonderland and the answer to my little prayer. Yet again, I was mistaken! In mid-February, we experienced what many Oklahomans (and other states) have dubbed “snowmageddon”. After a couple days of light freezing rain and ice, we received multiple days of snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, which is not a common occurrence in this state. I was in a blissful winter heaven! Winter holds such marvelous beauty! Going back to my prayer for snow, God went, as the King James’ Version puts it, “exceedingly abundantly above” what I expected or imagined possible. This isn’t the first time I’ve witnessed that verse in action, but it certainly made a big impression on me this time. God continuously provides for the needs of His children, but He sees their wants as well. Sometimes, He blesses us with those moments that make us smile and remind us of the benefits of having a child-like faith. For those who are not huge fans of winter like myself, I’ll “try” not to pray so much next time :) In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a very small portion of my 2020/2021 winter photos. If you want to see more, check out my Instagram.

Beauty is Pain!

This morning I pulled out 54 bobby pins from my hair. I am typing this right now with the $30 fingernails that are really starting to get on my nerves. It’s amazing how hard everyday, simple tasks become when you have an extra bit of nail sticking out that you’re not used to. Oh, the things we go through for beauty…My brother said it quite well yesterday: “There’s a reason why vain and pain rhyme.” The things we do to make ourselves look pretty can be physically painful sometimes. My nails are still throbbing, I got burned on my scalp with a curling iron, and my feet hurt from wearing 3-inch heels today. It’s a mental pain in the time we put into it. When I really try, which is less often than I’d like, it takes me at least 30 minutes to dry and style my hair, 20 minutes to decide on which shirt looks best at the moment, 20 minutes to get my make-up just right, and 5 minutes to pick out some jewelry and spray on perfume…Most days I don’t bother trying… Beauty is also painful on the budget. Think about all the “unnecessary” items we buy for our personal vanity. Eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, lip sticks, lip gloss, blush, foundation, perfume, scented lotions, curling irons, hair dryers, hair serums, hair spray, jewelry, too many pairs of shoes, wrinkle creams, zit zappers, manicures, pedicures…how many other hundreds of items am I missing?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not condemning the practice of beautifying ourselves, because I love the way I feel when I look nice. It makes me sing (in my head): “I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and gaaaaayyyyy (happy)…” I guess I’m mainly complaining about all the effort and/or expense it takes to feel that way. I wish it was easier to do. The worst part is when you try to use your looks to impress a certain man in your life, (oh, don’t look at me all shockingly, you know we all do it ;) ) and he doesn’t even seem to take notice (does he realize what I went through for all this?!). But, it does go beyond trying to impress someone, I like to dress up, it makes me feel more vibrant, womanly, and youthful. It does make me think of a verse, though, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting…” It doesn’t last. All that remains of my bridesmaid updo from yesterday is some residue in the shower (and 54 bobby pins). Makeup and perfumes have to be constantly replenished, and acrylic nails eventually grow out or break off (ouch!!). Then, eventually, we all get older and start to feel less beautiful as the years go by. But wait, not all hope is lost, let’s look at the rest of Proverbs 31:30: “…but, a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Physical beauty may fade away with time and age, but we can always feel pretty on the inside if we allow God to make us beautiful. Now, I don’t know if everyone reading this right now has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and if you don’t, I would highly encourage you to develop one. I’m speaking to myself right now when I say that time and effort spent in prayer and Bible study is worth a lot more than time spent on ourselves. So, go ahead and pamper yourselves, feel good about how you look, just don’t overdo it. Save some time to bring out your true beauty, maybe start by reading Proverbs 31:10-31. Anyway, I hope this all makes sense (I had a long week), if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. And if you are a man who has read to this point, shame on you…no, I’m just kidding J But, I would encourage you to show your appreciation for the women who are important to you (wife, girlfriend, sister, mom, etc.), and don’t always let our effort go unnoticed.