A Reading
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ….. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21: 2, 21)
A Thought
During recent days we have awoken to find ourselves unable to see beyond our noses. The fog has been dense and heavy, shrouding the familiar objects that we should be able to see from our windows. The ground, painted white by a cold frost, disappeared into the fog. Cut off from the world that we know, it is easy to feel isolated and alone.
Later, during the Tuesday morning bible study, we were seated with our laptop in front of the window. Whilst Judith was leading a discussion on the behaviours of Jacob and Esau, I found myself distracted by the view through the window.
The sun had cleared the fog, and I could now see the skeletons of leafless trees, frost laden, glistening in the sun. As I watched, it started to snow, or so it appeared. The sun was slowly melting the frost. As the upper branches warmed, clumps of ice loosened and fell, knocking other clumps from lower branches, producing a flurry of falling ice flakes, sparkling in the sunlight. This happened in wave upon wave, stretching right through discussion of the behaviours of Isaac and Rebekah.
After lunch, I went out to replenish the bird feeders. Underneath the trees, the grass was a carpet of sparking crystals, each about one centimetre in length. They looked like diamonds, and I felt privileged to enjoy such a sight. I re-entered the house to check in the bible whether this is what the new Jerusalem might look like. With a stretch of the imagination, I concluded that it could!
During a single morning, the environment has been transformed from containment to wonder.
It reminded me how God is always with us, and is able to turn adverse circumstances into wonderful opportunities. We just need to keep our eyes and minds open to appreciate them.
A Prayer
Thank you Lord that you are always with us,
and, we permitting, will lead us to beautiful places.
Amen