Snow, I long to clear a path and lift a spade
of snow
Snow, oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow
Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
Irving Berlin's lyrics become a celebration when sung by the four stellar songsters in the movie classic White Christmas. But with the festive season and Superbowl behind us, you may be feeling sluggish and down. The winter doldrums is more than just dreading the snow to be shoveled, the prospect of perilous driving, and the stress and limitation of cold blustery weather with icy, snowed-in pathways.
Winter's shorter days mess
with our internal body clock, known as our circadian rhythm. Starved of sunlight, our brain in response
increases its production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep and
has been linked to depression. I don't
want to camp on this, respecting that SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is a
very real challenge for many people. But
doesn't it help to know there's a biological explanation for the battle you may
be facing? A Vitamin D supplement is a
good counter-measure, and I like to keep dark chocolate handy for a positive
boost. If it's 72% I brazenly call it
"health food".
Are
unexpected changes in your life adding to the chill?
A favourite Bible teacher often said, "Just when you think
you know what God is up to, He up and changes the plan!" The positive potential here is heightened
dependence on the Lord. David's plea
was:
"Let
the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in
You. Show
me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life."
Psalm 143:8
2015 arrived with significant changes to my work schedule. The unexpected can be unsettling. But this morning, I stepped out of my house to a beautiful landscape of freshly fallen snow—in bright sunshine! I have typically headed to work in the cold and dark of early morning. This day began in a Winter Wonderland! I brushed and scraped my car, then while it heated up, I seized my camera to try and capture the beauty.
Be assured that the "LET IT SNOW" sign is in the back garden. Under these conditions, it's likely to
provoke the ire, not inspire my neighbours.
In the sweet stillness of this lovely gift, a warm hug from
Heaven, I found myself wondering what other surprises the Lord has tucked into
a new season of life. Counting my
blessings has already begun as the curtain is pulled back on fresh vistas. I have great expectations! May I encourage you to go mining with
me? Here is God's promise in Isaiah 45:3
NLT:
"And I
will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this
so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by
name."
Margaret Feinberg doesn't call cancer a gift, but she found treasures in her journey with breast cancer. "Defiant joy" was her most effective weapon. Be sure to watch 100 Huntley Street on February 17th to learn how you too can FIGHT BACK WITH JOY—Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down Your Greatest Fears.
Pam Thum expressed her God-confidence in the lyrics of a
song:
Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is
good.
"Our
faith may fail, His never wanes— That's who He is, He cannot change!" 2 Timothy 2:13 ISV
Here's a bright prospect… Valentine's Day is coming! A single girlfriend laments not that there is no sweetheart on the horizon, but that the season of chocolate temptation never ends! (We still have Christmas treats a-plenty around our house and Easter is coming!) But whatever your age, life stage or marital status, let me warm your heart with a Valentine from the One whose love will never let you go…
…"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting
love;
therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you." Jeremiah
31:3 AMP
