While driving along a frozen Midwestern road, I saw a startling sight. Despite the frigid temperatures and snow-covered landscape, a horse was grazing in a pasture! Much like this photo by prozac1/FreeDigitalPhotos.net, the horse seemed oblivious to the weather. Even in deep winter, it was going about its day, finding sustenance buried below the surface of the evidence of harsh climes.

I couldn’t get close enough to see if the horse was shivering. As I drove by, though, it didn’t look up. Munch. Munch. Its day carried on as it probably did in summer.

Further down the road, I thought about the calm feeling that came over me, seeing the horse. It’s a feeling that’s worth keeping when other storms rattle us, freeze us, stop us in our tracks. Illness might turn our world upside down. Cold facts about our condition might make us think that spring, and better health, might never come. But some things, even then, can carry on. We can take comfort in a daily routine, a habit or two that can withstand the greatest life challenges.

No wonder that, when a crisis has us reeling, steady neighbors and friends bring casseroles and gentle reminders to “Eat. Rest. Take a break.”

Of course, there’s another take-away from the sight of the horse. If we fall apart completely, if we focus only on our health problems or the fear that they bring into our lives, we might not tend to our basic needs and, thus, not have the strength – spiritual or physical – to make it through them.

You never know what insight you’ll find on a frozen Midwestern road in deep, deep winter!

Blessings for the day,

Maureen