WINTER— A GOD-GIVEN SEASON

WINTER— A GOD-GIVEN SEASON

He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? —Psalms 147:16-17

            Snow, frost, ice and cold season is fast approaching.  Actually, it is upon us!  Frost was on the ground the other day.  A friend said his car doors were iced and hard to open a few days ago.  Our daughter, Hannah, sent us a picture of their first snow in New York near Lake Ontario.  Yes, the cold season is upon us and it is not my favorite season.  I enjoy the warm days of Spring, Summer and Fall.  Though there can be some warmer days even during the cold season.

            Cold season brings the shoveling of snow, the plowing of snow and sanding so cars don’t slide on the snow.  Sure, it brings out the winter sports as well, but I will take the warmth of a gym to exercise over the cold outdoors.  But I also have to remind myself that it is our Lord that “gives the snow.”  He is the One who “scatters hoarfrost like ashes.”  He is the One who “hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs.  And “who can stand before His cold” that He brings?  He works through all these situations to accomplish His desires and I need to be aware of how He is doing that and enter into that work.

            The winter here in New Hampshire, and other places, does bring a beauty that other seasons do not have.  I would agree that there is nothing like a newly fallen snow, especially when it sticks to the trees.  The snow-covered trees always remind me of the righteousness of God that He has given us.  The dark bark of a tree is covered by the purity of the dazzling white snow and is so illustrative of how God sees the pure, righteous and blamelessness of His Son in me.  I see the purity of the snow clinging to the tree and not the dirty bark of the tree.  God sees the purity of His Son in me and not my filthy sin (II Corinthians 5:21).  How grateful I am!

            So winter has its positive points, but I still prefer the warmth of Spring, Summer and Fall.  May I seek the positive aspects of this cold season that seems to last so long.  Yes, Dear Father, please help me to see the “warmer” side of the cold season that is upon us.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3waVHzAcqA