Yellow Snow

I must confess to you, my friends. I have had this post sitting in my draft folder for over a week. I have mixed feelings about posting it. Usually, my motto is "when in doubt, don't." However, I am conflicted here.

You see, my husband got an email with this 30 second video in it, and it is the video itself that is the inspiration for this post. But truth be told, the video is rather disgusting. Kinda funny disgusting, but gross nevertheless. Yet I find a kernel of truth in it worth sharing.

I included the warning notice, but still, I was in a quandry. Oh, what should I do? So, I consulted with my wise friend, Nancy, who, in essence, said "You're on your own here, girlfriend." Well, that's not exactly her words, but then I thought I'll share this complete disclaimer with you first, and let you decide whether to click on the link to see the video or not. If you take heed of the warning and choose not to view the video, scroll down first to the more palatable verbal description I provided at the end of the post, so you can still retrieve the kernel of truth. How's that for a compromise!

Just please don't judge me....

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

WARNING!

In the interest of full disclosure,

the following video is not for

- the squeamish
- the legalistic
or

- the mature.

If your email doesn't have the video, click below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXtFGT6BKzQ

I warned you.

First, let it be said - I don't drink beer. I think it tastes vile, and don't want to waste my money, my time or my calories on such a product.


That being said, why would I share this video with you?


Well, it's a funny way to bring up my point for today,
and as I said, it is the inspiration for this post:

Things are not always what they seem.

How many times have we looked back on something that, at the time, seemed to be horrible only to realize later that it was exactly the opposite.

But until that realization, we deal with disappointment, anger and frustration.
-Losing that "perfect" guy.
-Not getting that "perfect" job.
-Moving away from that "perfect" home.
-Even if things aren't "perfect," but they're familiar, we have expectations that we've grown accustomed to. And disillusionment sets in when setbacks happen.


Sometimes, I wonder who first looked at a hard, hairy coconut and decided to crack it open for the sweet milk inside. Or who looked at a red, spiny lobster and thought, if I boil that ugly thing, the meat inside will be tasty.


Too often, in our discontent, we miss the blessing hidden inside.


The apostle Paul was imprisoned, yet he was able to see that God was using his chains as a platform to share the good news with the entire palace guard, and furthermore, “Because of my chains,” he said, “most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Paul saw the blessing hidden inside.


My daughter, Lauren, had more struggles than most to pass her audition to the dance department at her college. Although at the time, it was a period of great disappointment, one of her ballet professors (the one we secretly call the “dance nazi”) later told Lauren that she was a much better dancer because of it.


The Lord gave Lauren this verse: “Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” Phil 1:18-19


When our children are denied dessert until after they eat their broccoli, they’re displeased. My dog doesn’t understand why she needs a leash when we walk outside. They have neither the knowledge or maturity to see what we can.


Is there a hardship that you are facing today that may turn out for your deliverance tomorrow? The struggles we face can be either stumbling blocks or stepping stones to maturity. Perhaps your yellow snow, coconut, lobster, broccoli or leash may be a blessing in disguise.


Susan


ps - My daughter just came in and told me a story from one of her little dance students about what she learned in Hebrew school that week. To her dismay, she found out that "Sacagawea", the Indian guide who led Lewis and Clark across the continent, was not Jewish after all. She always thought that "Sock-a-Jew-ae-ah" was a Jewish name. She was certain of it. But she found out: "things aren't always what they seem."

Video description:
Two men are walking along a snow covered path. They come upon a patch of yellow snow. Ed stoops down to eat it. Shocked, his friend starts to warn against it, but when he spies the source of the yellow, he bends down to partake of the spiked snow himself. The source? A man lugging a leaking keg of beer.