It's winter in Michigan. The snow is falling, temperatures are well below freezing and there's an ice dam forming on the eaves of my roof. If it stays cold the ice dam will grow. When the sun comes out, it's insidious icy fingers will wedge their way under the shingles and as it re-freezes it will wreak havoc on what's underneath. The thing is - ice is so neat when you're skating on it or watching it form patterns on your windows, but it's tricky if you're walking on it or trying to drive over it. I've watched folks slip and fall - they were briefly in the most ludicrous positions before landing. Some got up, looked around to see who was watching, dusted themselves off and continued on their way. Others couldn't get up without help; I know...
One February, I was visiting with my brother and sister-in-law. An ice storm outside had turned their sidewalk into a sheet of wet glass. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself by holding on to the porch pillar and stepped down. How futile! In a flash, I hit the porch, Bang! - and continued sliding... Thump! Off the porch and onto the slippery, wet and oh so cold cement. I couldn't get up. Icy rain soaked my hatless head, coat and clothes. My brother tried to help but couldn't haul on me and keep his footing too. Then my quick-thinking sister-in-law turned, ran into the house and brought out a beautiful Turkish rug, tossing it onto the icy cement. By standing on it, my brother was able to help me to my feet and I gingerly made my way home. Within a couple of days, black and blue was the color of an unbelieveable portion of my back and I was stiff for days!
Now in the summer, ice is a welcome addition to water, tea or lemonade. You want it in the cooler when you're on a picnic. You'll freeze your fruit drink to help keep the food in your lunch box cold - and a bucket full of ice graces most every party.
Got to thinking on these things... Ice is the common denominator, yes, yet how welcome it is depends on what's going on around the ice. Inside a heated house, with a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and a glowing fireplace; the ice outside is pretty to look at but not much of a threat. However, when folks are outside, they hurry. The wind chill, temperature and what's happening with the weather (ice storm, freezing rain, sleet, or snow,) focuses their attention on getting indoors. Here's the remarkable part - the same ice that terrifies us in the winter is a welcome addition to summer fun. Speaks volumes about environment and attitude doesn't it?
Job said, "...as the stream of brook they pass away; which are blackish by reason of the ice, wherein the snow is hid. What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish." (Job 6:15-17) "Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen." (Job 38:29-30)
The psalmist said, "He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold? He sendeth out His Word, and melteth them: He causeth His wind to blow, the waters flow." (Psalm 147:16-18)
Ice may be an adversary or a friend - it depends on where you are and what you're doing when you encounter it.
One February, I was visiting with my brother and sister-in-law. An ice storm outside had turned their sidewalk into a sheet of wet glass. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself by holding on to the porch pillar and stepped down. How futile! In a flash, I hit the porch, Bang! - and continued sliding... Thump! Off the porch and onto the slippery, wet and oh so cold cement. I couldn't get up. Icy rain soaked my hatless head, coat and clothes. My brother tried to help but couldn't haul on me and keep his footing too. Then my quick-thinking sister-in-law turned, ran into the house and brought out a beautiful Turkish rug, tossing it onto the icy cement. By standing on it, my brother was able to help me to my feet and I gingerly made my way home. Within a couple of days, black and blue was the color of an unbelieveable portion of my back and I was stiff for days!
Now in the summer, ice is a welcome addition to water, tea or lemonade. You want it in the cooler when you're on a picnic. You'll freeze your fruit drink to help keep the food in your lunch box cold - and a bucket full of ice graces most every party.
Got to thinking on these things... Ice is the common denominator, yes, yet how welcome it is depends on what's going on around the ice. Inside a heated house, with a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and a glowing fireplace; the ice outside is pretty to look at but not much of a threat. However, when folks are outside, they hurry. The wind chill, temperature and what's happening with the weather (ice storm, freezing rain, sleet, or snow,) focuses their attention on getting indoors. Here's the remarkable part - the same ice that terrifies us in the winter is a welcome addition to summer fun. Speaks volumes about environment and attitude doesn't it?
Job said, "...as the stream of brook they pass away; which are blackish by reason of the ice, wherein the snow is hid. What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish." (Job 6:15-17) "Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen." (Job 38:29-30)
The psalmist said, "He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold? He sendeth out His Word, and melteth them: He causeth His wind to blow, the waters flow." (Psalm 147:16-18)
Ice may be an adversary or a friend - it depends on where you are and what you're doing when you encounter it.
1 comment:
Just lovely!
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