The mess? Muddy, slushy streets and yards. The blessing? Moisture.

The mess? A fine layer of dust ash covering everything and dirty floors in need of vacuuming and mopping thanks to wood brought inside for the fireplace. The blessing? Warmth and the glow of a fire in a beautiful room.

The mess? Yucky nausea and weakness. The blessing? Chemo and supplements that are working alongside prayer to heal a body.

The mess? Lots of work and little time to play. The blessing? Work that is fulfilling, tasks crossed off the list, and a job well done.

The mess? Sore muscles and an acknowledgement of weakness. The blessing? Exercise that signals progress, even if it is teeny tiny progress.

The mess? COVID. The blessing? Helping each other more, spending more time together, being more aware of cleanliness and germs.

The mess? Clutter. The blessing? The opportunity and necessity to declutter and gain an appreciation for that which is most important.

The mess? Exploded egg in a microwave. The blessing? A clean microwave after much elbow grease.

The mess? Many hours in a vehicle on long stretches of highway. The blessing? Good tires, reliable transportation, bluetooth and hotspots, heated seats, and the destination.

The mess? Regret/remorse/repentance. The blessing? Forgiveness.