This morning we woke up to snow falling softly, covering everything in a white blanket...so pretty and peaceful. It covered up all the dead bushes in our yard, the brown grass and the dirty patio. It made everything look clean and white. My attitude when I woke up this morning was more like the dead bushes, muddy, brown and ugly. Yesterday I had to rush out of the house, the day before pretty much the same thing and I didn't get to sit still and focus my heart towards the Lord, sitting in His presence with His words speaking into my day. I need to connect with the ones I love every single day, it grounds me. Without it I'm just a little off. I can manage okay, but the joy is lacking. I am starting to see how much I need the Lord's perspective in order to enjoy my day. It really blows me away at how quickly my focus can turn. Today, I woke up focused on me. Unfinished business from yesterday, my annoyances, my inadequacies, my to-do list, my, my, my. I was sure the Lord was disappointed in me too. (My head knows the right scriptures to quote, my heart just wasn't quite there). Waking up to a white wonderland was a stunning picture of what who Jesus is and what He means to each one of us! He takes the muddy, dead and ugly stuff and puts pristine white beauty in its place. Today I just needed a little reminder. It's kind of like He took my chin in His hand and gently moved it back toward Him. And when I looked, into His face, all I saw was love, tenderness and beauty.  It's pretty simple, really. Like the old hymn says,

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace".

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul: And why are you disquieted withing me? Hope in God;For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:3-5

The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17