When I was in college at Elon University, snow was a rare occurence. 
It’s not that it never snows in North Carolina.  Though it was certainly more rare than here in Connecticut.  Sometimes there were ice storms, which were very unpleasant.  It was just not common to see big white fluffy snow (as opposed to sideways icy sleet that pelts you in the face)!

Anyway, I was on my way to work at the library one evening and it began to snow. 
Pretty, magical snow! 
White powdery beautiful flakes of snow, gently falling to the earth. 
You know the kind of snow I’m talking about.  

A fellow student was literally looking up at the sky and exclaiming, “Oh my gosh!  Can you believe this?!  Wow!” 
I didn’t say anything, but just looked in her general direction with confusion. 
Maybe a slight scowl?  It’s hard to remember. 
I may have been in a mood. 
I remember thinking, “Why the huge reaction for a little bit of snow?”

She must have seen my confused look and said, “I know I’m acting really weird.  But I’m from Texas, and I’ve never seen snow like this in person.” 

In that moment, I felt terrible! 
Here I was being moody all while this fellow student at Elon was experiencing her first pretty, magical snow! 
I said something along the lines of, “Oh!  Well, I’m from Ohio and see snow like this all the time.  But it is beautiful, right?” 

It’s funny how memories from years ago can pop back into your head. 
As we just experienced our first significant snowfall in Connecticut (in a few years actually!) I recalled the delight of that fellow student’s first experience of winter beauty in the form of a gentle snowfall in North Carolina.

Cyncism is easy. 
Living with awe and wonder, with openness and an ability to see beauty all around? 
That is such a gift. 
Just a thought to share, on this snowy stormy week. 

Love,
Pastor Lauren 

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Thursday Thoughts 1/11/24