The beauty of a hoar frost.
Now imagine it covering every tree, bush, fence post, mail box, even spider webs hanging from the barn eaves.
It was breath-taking.
How can anyone doubt a creator God?
“The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands,Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” Psalms 19:1-3
It’s started to snow.
The forecasters predict at least a foot. The wind is supposed to pick up and the temperatures are starting to drop.
It’s a December blizzard.
We’ve been warned it was coming for some time. The grocery stores were packed last night as people stocked up on the staples. Hardware stores were just as busy selling ice scrapers and snow shovels.
The weatherman on the noon news said it would be a big one – one we would talk about for years to come.
Schools are closed through-out the state in preparation.
Snow plows are gassed up and ready.
But for now – the snow is falling softly and piling up fast.
And we wait.
Our worlds have stopped. The entire Midwest is frozen in time. Plans are on hold. Events canceled.
Meanwhile, families enjoy quiet time together in the midst of a busy month.
Adults take naps. Kids pull out the board games.
The frantic pace of Christmas is slowed down for awhile.
Hot chocolate is poured. Movies are watched.
And we wait.
And the snow falls.
And the wind blows.
I went cross country skiing today.
Yes, me, the one always picked last in PE. I went cross country skiing, by choice.
My Scandinavian husband has been skiing since he could walk. As a boy scout in Nevada he would ski with his troop into the mountains, camp over night or several days and ski back out.
My very first Christmas at his parent’s home he took me out and taught me the basics while he family watched from the windows of the house.
I married him anyway.
Then the babies came, and we lived in the city. Winter sports consisted of spending 20 minutes dressing the little ones in snowsuits and mittens then pulling them around in a sled for 5 before someone had to go potty or got snow in their mitten.
After our move to the country, my husband pulled out the skis again. He could now strap them on at the back porch and ski for miles.
He found beginner skis for the children and started teaching them the basics. Pretty soon the entire family was out on skis, and it was time for me to join them.
After a few false starts, I soon got a feel for it and found myself enjoying the rhythm of the sport.
I will never be as proficient as my husband who can do the most amazing turns and even stays upright going down hills. But I can almost keep up with the young ‘uns and as long as I avoid the hills I can stay on my feet.
Now I can enjoy the calm beauty of a winter day while I glide over the crisp white snow. The cold air bites my cheeks as my normally uncoordinated body finds the rhythm and movement of the cross country skis.
Silence.
Winter is the only season that I can truly experience the wonder of quiet.
As a home school mom of 5 children, my household is buzzing with activity day and night.
There are rare moments when all five are busy at an activity and all is quiet in the house.
But that isn’t the silence I’m talking about.
I’m talking about the dead silence of a winter walk. The absence of sound that comes with the cold stillness. There are no birds, no tractors, no water rushing.
I can stand in the frozen landscape and the only sound I hear is my own breathing.
I need this quiet. In a world that is full of noise and distraction, I need the silence. It allows me to listen and hear the things that are truly important. To find perspective and answers, to connect with God.
Charles Hadden Spurgeon said it well,
“Quietude, which some men cannot abide because it reveals their inward poverty, is as a palace of cedar to the wise, for along it’s hallowed courts the King in His beauty deigns to walk.”
Oh that I would be one of the wise ones.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”
Wow is it cold today!
So cold that even our fool-hardy chickens elected to stay in the coop.
So cold that our storm doors froze shut (And yes- I know they definitely need to be replaced when the air condenses like that!)
So cold that schools canceled (Well, not all schools- our home school functioned just fine, thank you!)
So cold that when you blow bubbles outside they freeze and burst into tiny crystals before hitting the ground. (Hey- it was a fun science experiment- remember we did have have school today!)
But it still wasn’t cold enough to freeze spit before it hits the ground- at least that’s what my teen reported.
But it doesn’t matter what the temperature is outside- inside we are warm and cozy and thankful.
And still dreaming of green…
