God Is So Good

imycomic.com ~ Used with permission

Who would have thought December 21st in Minnesota would look like the view out my window (previous post)?  We are expecting temperatures near 40 after the weekend.  Our previous residence in western Arizona is about 58 degrees, and I don't believe the wind has stopped howling there since the day we moved away.  You know what?  All other factors aside, this year I'm glad to be spending the winter here, and not there!  **big huge silly grin on my face**  This is not true for all family members here, however.  Last night Emily cried herself to sleep.  "Why did God call us to Minnesota?  I miss everyone in Arizona!!  Boo hoo!!"  Betsy's latest post reveals her AZ longings also.  The girls are really feeling gypped with the current balmy weather, and the AZ yearnings would probably disappear rapidly if we just had a few inches of snow on the ground.

You know, when we moved to AZ eight years ago the first summer was a relatively mild one.  And our first winter back in MN is, so far, a very mild one also.  Now maybe this is just a coincidence, but I like to think God cares about me so much that he is holding back icy winds and freezing temperatures just for me.  :)  Or maybe it's because he really doesn't want to hear my complaining about it... yes, that's more likely.  At any rate, it really is wonderful, because when we lived here before (like, fifteen years ago) I had a really bad time with winter lasting from October thru March. No, March is not entirely snowy, however one can always expect a blizzard for the state basketball tournaments.  So look.  This winter is already three months shorter than others I have endured with less grace. God is just good to me and I appreciate it.

Speaking of fifteen years ago, the other day I ran into a woman I have not seen since we lived in Minnesota before.  It is so weird how that can happen in a very small town, where I just went to pick up a few grocery coupon items while the girls were at music lessons. You know how it is.  We should always dress to represent our Saviour, but there are times when we just need to run out for a minute to grab something, and we're hoping to slip in and out of the store or post office without being seen.  In most cases, the chance that you will not be noticed is inversely proportional how bad you look.  If the person is important to you, you will look like something that crawled out from under a rock, just this one time. This woman looked exactly the same as she did fifteen years ago.  She was wearing no make-up, but it didn't matter -- she looked youthful and slender and beautiful.  I'm sure I look the same, too, except for an additional 25 pounds, a pair of dark circles and some wrinkles...  But miracle of miracles! This ONE TIME when I ran into someone who knows me, I had a bit of make-up on and it was not an epic bad hair day.  Isn't that just a blessing??  I think that's a blessing.  :)  (You have to count the small things, too.)

And now it's time for me to quit blabbing, and go kiss four more of my blessings good night.  Yes, God is good to me. 

♪ ♫ ♪  Ooooh, the Lord is good to me
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need
The sun and the rain and the apple seed!
The Lord is good to me,
Amen, amen, amen amen amen,
Aaaaamen!  ♫ ♪ ♫