Thorns and Thistles

To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'
"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

~Genesis 3:17-19

Snowflakes

I wrote this in December 08, and I still can't seem to add to it, though I want to post it. So post it, I shall. And yes, I was reflecting on something else as I wrote this.


"The final shape of the crystal reflects these growth conditions. The longer the snowflake is blown about in the skies, the more complex the resulting snow crystal." (http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2001/02/41085, 2008).

The light reflected by each is so little and so insignificant, so unnoticed, but is so greatly admired when they come together to cover the earth. And they become more beautiful the closer you look. Each one is so small, yet so unique, and is beautiful despite the harsh winds that surround it. Indeed, those same winds actually refine it and make them even more beautiful. Together they reflect, and yet pales in comparison to, the sun.