Last spring, I was on my hands and knees in the dirt, pulling weeds. For the most part, I enjoy working in our yard. But, when it comes to weeding, I really hate it.

On this first day of spring weeding, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily these terrible weeds came out. It was quick progress; significantly different from the previous summer when weeding this same area had been so difficult. Now, it was so much easier because the dirt had changed. The long winter rains made the soil soft and pliable.

As I worked in the soft dirt, I saw and felt and understood how the dark winter storms – traumas in family, business and personal - had changed me. How, over recent months and years, the soil of my own soul had been softened; weeds uprooted.

I wondered, “When winter storms return again – and they will – what then will I choose?”

Each of us, every day, gets to choose how we will respond to our winters.

I hope you choose gratefulness – to feel blessed, not bitter.

I wish you well.