Wednesday, January 26, 2011

PRAIRIE SNOWY WONDERS



Snow is wondrous! Despite the fact that I'm a bit "over the hill," I still rejoice in the snowy wonderland we call winter. Most folks my age are complainin' about the cold and how it does havoc on the aches and pains of their youth.




I, on the other hand, revel in Jack Frost's world. Icicles, crunchy goodness underfoot, powder sugar snow, and then there's the brightness that lights up our world both day and night. The whiteness shines its sparkling face upward in stark contrast to the blackness of the night sky.



As the frosty blanket covers the landscape, it chills the air and somehow calms the winds that we experience so much here on the prairie. Now, I don't mean it totally negates the winds, but somehow it brings an uncanny peace; a shivery blessing of purity and silence all packaged neatly together.


What can we learn from the snow? As I ponder my routine snowy treks to the barn to care for my horses, I think on the deep breaths of frigid air that pierce the inner depths of my fragile lungs and then leaves me gasping for breath--reminding me I'm alive in God's kingdom. Watching that breath escape in visible smoke, I revel in the miracles that are my lungs—God-designed and remarkably functional.

I know it's probably an insignificant thing to think about, but there you have it. I ponder a lot of God's little details and then make them into huge lessons for myself.



It seems sometimes that I feel most alive in the winter because the frosty air and snowy roads stretch my capabilities - they challenge me to work harder at life. And, then I truly feel alive!




So, my advice - for what it's worth - Get yourself outside and into the cold. Take a snowy walk, lick an icicle, go sledding down a hill (wwwwwhhhheeeee!), breathe in & breathe out and watch the smoke rise, experience that awesome tingling feeling of frozen toes and fingers that come just before frostbite, and above all revel in the silence and listen to the voice of God in His snowy kingdom.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Seize Your Own Moment of Wonder!

2011 is upon us. Remember to make the most of every breath He's given you; seize the wonders around you; and don't be afraid to share His love to the fullest. There will never be another year like this one!


This little thought was from my own little mind a couple of days ago as I was reflecting on our family, the new year, and new dynamics that are impacting our family life. I wrote and posted this on my Facebook status on Tuesday, January 4. To-date, no one has commented on it or left a "thumbs up" like. For some reason, that is kind of bothering me. While I know I shouldn't look for affirmation from friends alone, I really thought I had something meaningful to share that could encourage others. I mean, my identity and my feelings of acceptance really should come from the Creator of the Universe, right?

I'm still fascinated by "Wonder" and every day God opens my eyes to new wonders around me. Whether it's the series of dead mice in our horses' water buckets or the pink glow of an ever-changing, amazing sunset I see each night as I drive home from work. I'm sure you're wondering what I could possibly learn from the dead mice. Well . . . let me tell you.

We've had a lot of dry weather out here on the prairie this past summer and fall and I'm sure the little micekins are thirsty—seeking out water. However, their tiny mice brains just can't fathom the peril involved in perching atop the lip of a water bucket and bending over for a tasty drink. Aren't we as frail humans a bit like that sometimes as well? Something we're craving drives us to ruin because we can't see the perils that potentially lie ahead. We don't take the time to consider the risks, to analyze the outcomes—we just scurry around and around and jump head-long without abandon into the water bucket only to find ourselves drowning in our own selfish depravity. Okay, enough of the downer observations.

I originally intended this blog entry to captivate your imagination; inspire to love. So, here goes round 2 of this particular blog entry. Sorry I got distracted with the micekins. I'm just a crazy goofball who seems to always see some lesson in every little incident I encounter.

Since the vegetation has dried up and winter is upon it, sometimes we give up looking for the joy in nature; even joy in life. Instead, my mind has turned to seizing the wonders all around me whether it's a crooked smile, an outburst of laughter, or a knowing look, God wants me to experience His wonders. The wonders of relationship, the miracles of God's love.

Moments slip by in a cadenced march that we never seem to be able to catch up to. And, sometimes this makes me sad wondering whether I'm missing out on an opportunity to witness a miracle or catch God's ultimate vision for me in that particular moment.

So with all that said, I encourage each and every one of you to "seize your own moment of wonder." Don't miss an opportunity to love; an opportunity to serve; an opportunity to witness the wonders God has placed within your vision. The moment that truly matters to you or someone else may never come this way again.

Monday, January 3, 2011

The Immeasurable Heavens









Vast, endless, infinite, massive, incalculable--the immeasurable heavens.

Indeed that's what I experienced tonight on my quiet, dark walk to the barn to feed my horses. The moon had taken a respite from its usual place in the sky--hiding its face from view and the only light was from distant stars dotting the heaven's canopy.

What a wonder are the stars! We may never see them as they truly are--on fire, burning up their life force so far away. Scientists say that by the time their light reaches us, they are but a memory in their part of the galaxy.

I'm so glad that the Light of our World is still here shining for me. Is He shining for you tonight in the darkness?


Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power
Not one of them is missing.
(Isaiah 40:29, NASB)