Our neighbor, Christine, happened to be in her yard yesterday morning (in spite of frigid temperatures), as I was leaving to babysit our granddaughter. Christine was picking up trash that had blown in front of her house.
“I’ll be so glad when this weather warms up,” she called, stooping to gather more bits in her bag-covered hand. We encouraged each other with the forecast for the weekend: temperatures approaching fifty degrees.
Actually, I haven’t minded the deep freeze that has gripped the Midwest for most of January. After living in Florida for forty years, I see cold weather as a pleasant change from stifling hot temperatures and hard-to-breathe humid air. (Give me a few years up here, and I might be longing for that heat again.)
For now, these wintry January days offer a multitude of pleasures:
- A bit of rest after the bustle of Christmas.
- Feathery cirrus clouds gracing the sky.
- Cardinals, juncos, and flickers cavorting in the trees on the occasional temperate, sunny day. (Without foliage to obscure the view, we can watch their antics unobstructed.)
- The soft, pale glow of winter sunsets.
- Plumes of smoke winding lazily upward from the neighbors’ chimneys.
- Candles glimmering cheerily as dusk falls.
- The scent of homemade chicken soup simmering on the stove. (Granted, soup can be enjoyed anytime, but it takes a chilly evening to bring out the best of a savory bowl.)
- Hibernating by the fire, computer on my lap, hot tea in a thermal mug at my side.
- Layering myself in soft, cozy clothing—and Smartwool socks!
- Quenching my thirst with a drink of water from the faucet–and it’s already cool – no ice necessary.
- That first “Ah” moment upon entering the warm house. (Entering a cool house in Florida is more of a “Whew!” moment!) The coziness of home is most appreciated when cold winds blow outside.
- Nature renewing itself for the life-burst of spring. One sign: buds on the magnolia tree are already growing plump.
And what about those times when snow covers the landscape? Oh my. The enjoyment is magnified ten times.
- Delicate flakes waltz in quiet descent.
- Trees become dressed in lace.
- Light glistens and sparkles from the brilliant snowscape.
- A quiet hush surrounds us, as the freshly fallen snow absorbs sound.
All precious gifts, indeed.
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Heavenly Father, I thank you that the whole earth is full of your glory, even in bleak winter.
In the snowflakes we see your never-ending creativity.
In the full magnolia buds we see the hope of spring, symbolic of our sure hope in you.
In the pleasure of a warm home and crackling fire we glimpse the refuge you offer to us: a place of safety, comfort, rest, and delight.
In the purity of white snow that covers the gray and the dismal, we see a reminder that you cleanse away our sins and make them white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).
And in the beauty and hush of a winter snowscape, we find our attention drawn to you. In quiet, wondrous worship. we give praise to you, our gracious, glorious God!
* * * * * * * * * *
What gifts of winter do you most appreciate?
(Photo credits: www.zatavki.com; http://www.blog.snyderac.com; http://www.shutterstock.com.)
From the Inside Out 