God's Perfection

The amazing amount of snow we've received in the last week has made routine travel a chore. Drive times are double because 4 lanes are now two, 2 lanes are now one. This leaves a lot of time for reflection. Today, as I was in bumper to bumper traffic that would make LA proud I was thinking about the family member who declared this week "I don't believe in God!"

I am so saddened by this lack of belief that to me it represents a lack of hope. All kinds of thoughts come to mind, like prove God doesn't exist and if you don't believe what are you celebrating this time of year?

And then, in the middle of this angst, I looked at my window and saw the most beautiful snowflake fall on to the glass. It was spectacular. So delicate and fragile and I knew that at any moment it would melt and be gone. I saw another, and another and took note of the differences in each. They say no two snowflakes are alike. It's true, I didn't see one that was exactly like the other. This thought led me, in my stream of consciousness thinking, to people and how no two are alike, and that we are born at all is a miracle in itself. Suddenly, there were miracles all around me and I thought such perfection can only exist where God does. These things aren't random coincidences, to believe so shows a lack of hope and that a reliance on future coincidence is essential to the good things in life. Things could get better, but might not. But if we believe in God, we have hope. Hope in life, hope in death, hope that today's disappointments will become tomorrow's blessings.

The blessings in my life, my health, my family, my friends, my career are all the result of a loving God and the gifts He has given me. Some of these blessings didn't happen the way I wanted, but they happened at the moment they were supposed to, in God's time. . . . . absolute perfection!

Why are the holidays so crazy??

The last week has been just crazy. Every board I'm on had their year end meeting, the kids Christmas programs are this week, the last day of school before vacation is Friday, my shopping isn't done and I'm trying to figure out when I'll have the time to make gifts for the teachers.

All of this got me thinking: The holidays are supposed to be about family, reflection, blessings, giving and I'm feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done. Rarely is there a time during the year that feels as hectic as this last month. Why is that? Why is there so much pressure to do so much. Why do we cram a year's worth of cards, gift giving, volunteer work and love into 25 days.

Seems like all we do between Thanksgiving and Christmas should be done throughout the year. My dad asked me recently "Why do most charities send out their fundraising letters at this time of year when everyone is spending their money on other things?" I think it is the one time of year that people really think about those less fortunate and are more likely to give than any other time of the year. But wouldn't it be great if every month was like December? Not the craziness that occurs, but the love, kindness and giving that happens? Imagine what that would be like. Awesome!