“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.” ~John Burroughs
Winter hasn’t shown up on the calendar, but it has shown up around here in the air. No snow to notice yet, but that too will come. In Kentucky, we generally get some winter snow. Nothing like those to the north, but enough for most of us Kentuckians. When it does come, it can bring with it beauty.
I like the seasons and I’m not sure I’d want to live year around in a place that was summer weather throughout the year. However, I am very sure I wouldn’t want to live in a place where winter was in control throughout the year.
A snowy path beckons me. I like to walk through the snow and enjoy the beauty of winter. I’ve had some great winter walking companions over the years. Roxie, the St. Bernard, and Oscar, the maybe Lab/Chow mix, loved walking with me in the snow.
Frankie is always happy to head out on a snowy day too while Marley thinks a spot in a warm house is more to be desired. But he soldiers along with us on our walks.
The Lord gives us all sorts of weather. The snow waters the earth and can be a friend to the farmer.
The day is Yours, the night also is Yours. You have prepared the light and the sun. You have set all the borders of the earth. You have made summer and winter. …Psalm 74:16-17 (NKJ)
Sometimes in the midst of a dreary stretch of winter days, snow can give us a fresh look at the world around us as it changes our ordinary surroundings into scenes that makes us pause and admire the wonder of nature.
“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!” ~Thomas Wentworth Higginson
At times winter has a way of challenging us with too many cold, gray days, but then the snow will come. The sun will come out and new wonders will sparkle before our eyes. Life can send challenges our way too. Perhaps times of too much gray can overwhelm us, but if we keep trusting in the Lord, His love will shine in our lives as we move toward the new wonders He has in store for us.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. …Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJ)
Do you see beauty in the winter season?
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The beauty of snow reminds us of His cleansing blood!
SNOW is something some don’t even know about. I always loved the first snow of the season, especially, if it arrived on Christmas Eve. I’m from Illinois, and I lived in the countryside, so I know about snow. Snow will deaden the sounds around you and you actually can hear it falling. I like that it covers up all the ugliness around me, too. When the moon shines brightly on the new fallen snow you can actually turn off your lights in the house and see your way all around. I have even read a book by the window in the night after a measurably amount of new fallen snow. When the sun does come out and shine, the snow sparkles like diamond gemstones. The only things I don’t like about snow is, if there is enough, like 21 inches, it holds the cold and makes it colder, it can drift greatly, you have to shovel, you can get stuck in the snow in your car, and in some states, like Illinois, it can be around until we are into Springtime. And by then it looks quite gray and dirty. I do miss it, though, as I now live in Kentucky, and it doesn’t snow much here. I guess I’ll have to go visit the SNOW. But maybe not.
Author
Snow can be beautiful, Eileen. I always enjoy one good snow a winter. It’s fun to get out with my camera and take some pictures or just to enjoy the beauty. It is prettier when it’s freshly fallen and the sun is shining in a fresh washed sky.
I hadn’t thought about hearing the snow falling, but you’re right. You can be walking in the snow and hear the soft fall of the snow at times. But while most love snow at Christmas, I always want it to wait until later since my kids have grown up and have to travel the highways to make it home for Christmas.
Thanks for you beautiful description of the snows you’ve experienced.
Even though I am not a big fan of snow, I have to admit it is a beautiful scene outside when it does snow. Everything white and glistening like diamonds when the sun comes out. It’s another of nature’s wonders.
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Snow scenes do sparkle when the sky turns blue and the sun shines down on that pristine snow, Connie. It can lay a quiet blanket down too. Definitely a nature wonder.
The snow is beautiful to look at as long as I don’t have to drive in it, can’t handle snow or ice behind the wheel so I just stay home and watch it out of the window.
Author
Sounds like a wise decision, Donna Jean. I’m that way too. The only time I absolutely had to get out in the snow was while I was taking care of my mom. Then snow or not, I had to go take my turn with her. Made for some interesting drives.
It makes me appreciate and admire those people who can’t stay home. Policemen, doctors, nurses, EMTs, road crews, all those necessary workers who snow or shine have to go to work.
Thank you for this encouraging devotional message, Ann — just what I needed on this gray, Monday morning!
May God bless you and your family in a special way during this Advent season.
Author
We’re having some gray Kentucky days for sure, Roberta, but we had such an overflow of sunshine days, I guess it was time for a little rain. But now where the grass died in my backyard, the dogs are coming in with muddy paws.
I’m glad you thought my words were encouraging.
Beautiful pictures & thank you for the truth of God’s Word in your wonderful Winter devotional.
God bless you & yours during this winter season.
Author
So glad you enjoyed the post, Connie. Some snows just come down in such a way that the photos show the beauty without the cold. 🙂
I’m glad you liked my devotional thoughts too. Sometimes I struggle to come up with the right words to express what I want to convey. So, your words are encouraging to me.