Winter Beauty

January has made quite a statement in the first few days, continuing the bitter cold of late December.

We've found new winter olympic sports to add to our list: truck diesel freezing up; shoveling snow in below zero temperatures; adding heaters to the sheep shed so they stay warm; forcing a grandpuppy out to do her job when her tiny feet get frozen; bundling up in boots, insulated coats, and hoods to prevent frostbite.

Seems like I'm on a constant search to find the gloves. Mostly I stay inside, like a spoiled brat. I've gone into hibernation only without the sleep. I get bundled up under blankets and read.

But, today I'm going to focus on the beauty winter brings. The sunrises and sunsets have been amazing; so full of color and brilliance. Yesterday there were sun dogs framing the sun with brilliant pinks spreading their glow across the snow covered ground. And the 'super moon' has been amazing
as it rises in the east. Huge and full, it rose quickly to light up the surroundings as if it was day. The weatherman said there would be another one at the end of the month!

I love the snow blanket. Sparkling like diamonds, twinkling like stars, covering the dreary dormant grass and plants and adding a beautiful accent to the evergreen trees. I saw the first rabbit tracks through our yard, and watched deer stand in a snow-coated field twice in the same location, wondering what they were finding to eat - probably a neighbor's trees or bushes. There are birds searching for food - delighting in a full bird feeder. Even as I drove home in the snow on Saturday night, I couldn't help but love the huge snow flakes falling so peacefully.

God promised Noah that He would never again destroy what covers the earth until the day Jesus returns, and the change of seasons is our reminder of that.

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease," (Genesis 8:22 NIV).

I'm thankful for our God whose creativity gives us such beauty to enjoy; even when our toes and fingers are nearly frozen.

Lord, open our eyes to the day-to-day beauty that surrounds us. Touch our hearts with the loveliness that accompanies the cold. We are blessed every day; help us remember to give You alone praise and glory. Amen.