Yesterday we turned the calendar over to February, which means we’ve moved on to longer stretches of daylight and are thismuchcloser to spring. Not that I’m wanting to rush time or what God is doing – I know seasons of dormancy are necessary, but winter helps me appreciate the beauty of the other seasons. There is an added sweetness when we make it through the long-lasting inhale of the winter months.
Here are some snapshots of the winter season. And while I have you here, which season do you look forward to most with anticipation? Let me know in the comments below.
Winter snapshots:
…sitting near the window, watching my oldest boy (nearly 13 years old) and the snowblower work their magic on our circle driveway.
…exercising new creative habits, such as painting with watercolor!
(And I spy a little blonde boy who loves to pull himself up to the dinner table. This is a super big deal for our Josiah, who was born with spina bifida. Every new accomplishment / skill he achieves is worth celebrating!)
…slow reading new books (I recently finished this book!) It was written in the ’90s and I was so sad to learn the author has since passed. Reading her words of encouragement, especially as we are a homeschooling family whose schedule varies each week due to priotitizing health care appointments and therapy, was like a balm to my motherly mind. Mary wrote from experience when she shared her advice, but she also wrote with grace and Biblical support.
…a page from my Bible studying on Psalm 119:65–72. The Hebrew scriptures begin each of the five verses with the word “good” (tov). What is the good the Psalmist wants us to see?
Here they are in a nutshell: God’s Word is designed for our good (v. 65). We can trust that God’s words are the best counsel (v. 66). Affliction can move us into deeper obedience (v. 67). “Good you are, and you cause good to happen,” (v. 68). Good it was for me that I was afflicted, so that I might learn your statutes (v. 71).
…referencing a well-loved book list during a recent trip to the library!
…weekly sourdough bread baking.
…letter writing on Mondays, bedside reading, and a re-stocked tea drawer :) I felt like a very wise woman when I realized I could move our tea collection and my kids mugs to a drawer that’s at their level. This put a stop to the counter top climbing, and also gave them a little ownership when wanting to make a cup of tea.
…candles adding warmth to the kitchen come evening.
Winter really is a special season. Even though it’s cold and the weather is often unpredictable, there is a lot of good that comes from this season. We can learn a lot from the months spanning December, January, February, and March. Hot tea doesn’t taste the same in the spring, the crunch of snow under my boots as I walk to the mailbox is satisifying to my ears, and the red and brown birds that come to our feeders are reflections of God’s goodness. And of course, of all the meals I make each week, winter is the season I most enjoy being in a warm kitchen.
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the LORD is what remains, Isaiah 40:8
In each season, I want to be looking for the joy. It’s always there, even if it’s just a tiny shimmer of light.
xx, Maggie
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