Winter is Coming . . .

Snow. The season is fast approaching for my winter joy! The beautiful picture to the left was snapped by Donna Shiflett Thanksgiving week when she was in WV. It reminds me of all I love about snow.

A December 1 devotion by Charles Spurgeon also awakened my senses to another reason for snow. This is a different picture than I normally view on snow, but certainly captures all God has intended for us. Spurgeon’s scripture reference is, “You made both summer and winter.” Psalm 74:17 Following are some quotes I especially enjoyed!

“Dear soul, begin this wintry month with your God. Let the cold snow and piercing wind remind you He keeps His covenant with you day and night . . . Winter in the soul can be an uncomfortable season. He sends the cold blasts of adversity to nip the buds of our expectations. ‘He scatters the frost like ashes’ over the once green meadows of our joy . . . freezing the streams of our delight. He does it all, for He is the King of Winter, ruling even the realms of frost.

“Oh, how we enjoy the warm cheerful glow of a roaring fire on the hearth on a cold wintry day! In the same manner, may we treasure our Lord who is the constant source of warmth and comfort in every time of trouble . . . May we wrap ourselves in the warming garments of His promises and go forth to service appropriate to the season.”

And from Jim Reimann: “Spurgeon, like many people today, suffered occasional bouts of depression. Yet from today’s devotion we see he understood that even those were sent to him with a purpose from his heavenly Father . . . he saw God’s purpose in it.”

Last evening I listened to Debra Talley sing “No Other Word for Grace” on her CD “Seasons of the Heart.” The second line says: “White can’t tell the magic in the air when it snows.” Any way you look at it, snow is part of God’s plan, for the beauty it sends on earth, and for the work He does in each heart in wintertime.

I’ve had my share of both summer and winter in the soul. But I know who is in control of all weather . . . and I am thankful for His care.

Next week I’ll share a poem I wrote about snow. Don’t miss it!