Peace, be still

I might gripe about winter cold (what Me? never) But I have to admit I love the snow. The peacefulness and stillness - I sometimes wonder if that is maybe a piece of Heaven. I love opening my bedroom window in the morning and listening to the sound that is Winter - the stillness that only that blanket of snow brings upon the world. Nature's insulation against the harsh sounds of the world. A reminder from God to be still and know I am here.  There is nothing more fulfilling than to stand in the midst of the falling snow and hear the whisper that only that tiny snowflake can make as the snowflakes fall through the branches of the trees or gently float past you. To lift your face to the Heavens and feel the gentle brush of the flakes falling against your cheeks. And, of course, to try to catch an elusive snowflake on the tip of your tongue - there is nothing sweeter. And yes, snowflakes have no taste, but the thrill of being a kid for a small amount of time, letting go of all of your anxieties and troubles and turning your face towards those tiny miracles falling from the sky and rejoicing in what God is providing for us, a gentle reminder of His great love that is so beautiful and gentle and peaceful and ....... still.

There is such a beauty in Winter, that many people fail to see. Everyone knows that each snowflake is individually designed - no two are alike and isn't that amazing that God took the time to do that for us? But each of those tiny snowflakes all come together to blanket the earth and bring beauty and calm to a troubled world. And when the sun shines on the large expanse of solid white - each of the snowflakes individually sparkles and shines glimmering in the light. I am always amazed at the beauty, even after 51 years of Winter, I am still in awe of the beauty that only God can provide in the season of this cold time of year.

I know that many people find this same feeling in warmer climates and I love the sound of waves on our little lake or the crash of the waves on Lake Superior as they engulf the rocky shore (the Great Lakes are the Northern states mini version of the ocean). Or the sound of nature, the birds singing - my favorite is the Loons as they call hauntingly across the lake at night. And isn't it amazing that God created all of these wonders? But, to me when I'm standing in the midst of the falling snow, arms stretched out wide and lifting my face towards the sky to feel the tiny specks of cold melting on my warm skin or standing in the middle of my driveway in the dark of night hearing the rustle of the few remnants of leaves gently being caressed by the falling snow or on a cold Winter night when the sky is clear and looking up at the sparkling stars (and yes, I really think the stars shine brighter during the Winter months) my heart fills with the wonder of God and for that brief moment of communing with Nature, I feel so close our Heavenly Father - like He's right there and in a sense, He is, in each of those flakes, in the silence that only comes when the snow has covered the ground and at that time you can hear God whispering in your ear: Be still and know that I am God. It reminds me of a passage in Mark 4:37-40:

 ³⁷ And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling.
   ³⁸ And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?
   ³⁹ And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
   ⁴⁰ And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?

When we are in the midst of the storm that is life and it seems that nothing is going right, we are inundated with trials and tribulations - when the gentle snow falls from the sky and you hear that ever so quiet whisper that only a snowflake can make, it is then that God is softly saying: Peace, be still. Why are you scared? Where is your faith? I am always here with you...........even in the smallest of snowflakes.

 .And yes, at that moment you can feel God smiling.