So much ice the night and day before, even the most tentative three steps to take my dog outside were dangerous. My dog slid like a dolphin gliding in the water. The fog cloud nestled upon the ground and the freezing temps created a bed of ice.

Then this morning, through the open split of the curtains my eye noticed a strip of blue. Flinging the curtains open there was the sun! The treacherous ice now glistened like diamonds while the sidewalk and driveway shone like polished glass. I rushed to get my camera, and stepped outside to capture the image forgetting the ice. Luckily I grabbed the door handle and gently placed my bottom and sliding feet on the step of ice…and laughed.

The trees were encased in the same ice yesterday but they did not glisten. The warmth and touch of the sun gifted the appearance of beauty. The beauty was there. My eyes fixed on the fog, the potential danger, and cold did not see. Oh that I could always see the beauty when others appear encased in hard, cold, and even dangerous ice. May I offer the light and warmth of the sun and smile to see them glisten. And may I not fear the vulnerability of my zeal…just grab the Sweet Hands of Life, take a seat…and laugh. Sweet mercy such a Winter whisper.