When the Fog Clears

When it comes to weather patterns there are two that are very sneaky: fog and snow. While you're sleeping, they can stealthily take up residence at, around, and on your home – and you won't even know it until you awake.

Life is like that.

When we're caught in the whirlwind of everyday life, we might not notice the fog creep in until suddenly we're overwhelmed and don't know which way to turn. If we're patient, God will act like the sun and burn off the fog, giving us clarity again.

Snow can be just as sneaky, quietly accumulating while we're asleep or even when our backs are turned. When we're so busy with one area of life, we forget to look at the others. Forget to gauge how well things are (or aren't) going.

The thing about snow is that when you walk or drive through it, you leave tracks. There's evidence of where you've been and the path you took to get there. You may look at new snow with utter dismay, seeing it erase your journey. Your progress.

I look at a fresh blanket of snow like a clean slate. A fresh start. While we can still see the tracks from the past, as we move forward, they are gradually filled in and eventually erased. We can learn from where we came, but it doesn't have to define the direction we are going.

I'm especially grateful today for that clean slate. For second chances and new beginnings.

Twenty years ago, I was in both fog and snow. I couldn't see what was in front of me but knew I had to take a step forward. Trudge slowly ahead until the fog lifted and, over time, could finally look back and see the footprints of the past disappearing in the snow.

Thank God that today I keep plodding forward, equipped with supportive snow shoes that hold me up in all conditions.

Thank you, my snow shoes angels. You know who you are.