In my little corner of the world, where the LORD has placed me to live to the praise of His glory (don’t you love this idea, from Ephesians 1?), the winter days are short–and though winter seldom rages past mid-February, many experience a hunger, a longing, an angst from all this darkness. All living things are in a state of waiting, hoping, longing; yet looking dead. If you listen closely though, there are many that attest to God’s goodness even in the heart of winter.
Birds.
Hopping, flying, singing, calling. They remind me to rejoice in all things, as Scripture teaches. We read the words in Scripture and many scoff, some argue, others silently dismiss. But like the birds, some of us have learned to preach to our souls that winter will not last forever. God is good, and worthy of all praise, even now.
And so, by Mid-February, my children and I are finding times to go barefoot in the yard and face the sun and laugh. We are picnicking whenever the high is at least 50. And we rely on past years’ observations as we chase after beauty.
Blooms
We drive around to find the first daffodils blooming. We look for all the buds on trees and bushes lining all our favorite trails. We mark the passing through of the starlings. We count the robins, all winter just a few appearing at a time, but now scores of robins hop about. We watch the greens, the buds, the blooms of all our own bulbs. Hellebores are a personal favorite.
We stoop down and observe the tiny wildflowers filling in between the still dormant grasses. We listen for frogs, and chase the sound, looking to see if we can discover their spawn. And just as these works of His creation are heralding Spring, so my soul opens up to rejoice in the gift of today a little bit more.
Put Yourself in the Path of His Beauty
All God’s works are studied by those who love Him. (Psalm 111) We marvel at and delight in His creation, His redemption, His words of promise and hope and grace… We set our minds, use our senses, pray; and the Spirit uses all this in His great work of renewal. Our whole being, not compartmentalized, experiences this renewal.
As we read of natural processes or laws of nature in our science books, we remember what we’ve observed, and we delight all the more. All this study, observation, and delight will lift our countenance–He has promised this, and all the promises are ours in Christ Jesus.
Joy unspeakable, even while the world is in chaos, because He is a Good Father, Sovereign over all, our dwelling place, our eternal hope. Be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46). Sit still, and observe His creation. Admire His ways.
“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His Beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins…having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1).
“But like the birds, some of us have learned to preach to our souls that winter will not last forever. God is good, and worthy of all praise, even now.” Love this! Thank you for sharing! 💗
Emily, I appreciate this, “All living things are in a state of waiting, hoping, longing; yet looking dead” because it reminds me to pray for our roots to go deep. Winter is a time of growth. An unseen growth, but a growth that is deep and prepares us for the coming season of fruit bearing. May we go deep so we can bear much fruit.