On thin ice

Last weekend, we went for a walk on the lake.  Yes, on.  Not by, near, or at.  ON.  We went down to the waterfront and walked out to the breakwater across at least six inches of very solid ice.  Interestingly, it was also very clear.  Absolutely clear.  You could see right through it.  Of course, once it got deep enough, it just looked black.  It was very eerie.  And very safe.  And unnerving.  And fun.  The kids even played "kick the block of ice" and found drift wood with which they made improvised hockey sticks (with which to better hit the blocks of ice).  The ice sailed really really far, it was so smooth out there.  Papa Bear's brother was visiting, so we took him along too.  And at least two of us were sick (the littlest ones, plus me not feeling great).  We then did lunch and went to another place - a local bay, off the main lake - where there was ice fishing and the cars were driving out onto the ice.  This ice was more "normal" - not clear.  It looked more like the ice I'm used to and was therefore less unnerving, but also less interesting.  We had fun.  See lots of pictures below.

So why did I entitle this "on thin ice" if the ice is so safe?  Perhaps because our lives are a reflection of the ice.  Sometimes they are clear, sometimes they are more typically confusing and opaque, and it is always really important to know how thick the ice is - and what you're getting into - how your decisions will impact you and others around you, that is your life circumstances.  You look for clues - like we did with the ice.  In the clear ice, the cracks were actually our reassurance that the ice was indeed quite thick.  You could literally see the depth of the cracks!  And honestly, the cars driving by us on the icy surface of the bay were a pretty big clue that the ice there was solid and we had little to worry about.  And we know to stay away from docks, etc, where the ice is thinner, or perhaps not even frozen.  Life is like this.  There are clues, signs, and others to guide and show were the "ice" of life is thick and safe, and where it is thin or perhaps even non-existent.   May we be humble and willing to pay attention to all these clues, signs, and people who God puts in our path to help us along, and may we safely avoid thin ice, at least as much as we can.