Being Thankful
What a week we had! Actually, are still having. As I am writing these words, we have had one of the coldest and longest spells we have had in a long time. When Cyndi and I moved south, we thought it would be warmer. We had rain, sleet, freezing temperatures, and snow. As one man, a native Houstonian in his sixties said, “I have never seen weather in Houston like this in all my years.”
We have been to the beach in Galveston before, but we actually saw pictures of the white sand… wait, it was snow on the beach. At first it looked like sand. Many of us lost electricity for days, and quite a few had pipes burst in their homes. Now they are trying to find someone to repair the damage or find the parts needed to repair them and are having a struggle doing so. We were blessed not to have that kind of damage.
Our daughter went to Sam’s Club, and the only food they had was some produce. All the shelves were empty. The Walmart we have been going to had a long line just waiting to get in. We decided we had enough to get us through and did not stand in the cold. I’m sure some who are reading this can identify with what I am saying as everyone was affected in some way.
We all have so much to be thankful for. However, when something like this happens, we tend to reflect on the problem at hand. It is hard to see the good for the bad. I’m thankful that this kind of weather does not happen all the time. Could you imagine living in climates where winter is several months long and the temperature is way below zero? Where I used to go in Russia, it was –26 degrees this past week. The wind temperature made it seem much lower.
I’m thankful for those who were out in this weather repairing the problems so we could have the electricity back on. The temperature here was in the single digits, and you can only imagine what it would be like to work in that (or most of us have to imagine.)
I’m thankful that we were prepared for this as we were warned that it was coming. We had time to wrap pipes, get the right kind of foods, and be ready to ride it out.
I’ve seen people tell others they have wood they can have to keep them warm, and PVC pipes, and fittings to make repairs.
I’ve noticed some telling those without water that they can come to their home and get water as they still have it. A great sense of sharing by people who care for each other. And I’m thankful for them.
And I’m especially thankful and blessed to have a Father in heaven who cares about me and the whole world. So, while things are surely hard right now, take time to count your blessings and not your losses. I am.