It is not like spring, with fresh new life pushing up through the rich red-brown soil and from the tips of trees while bright blue stellar jays flit and fly and screeching hawks soar against cerulean skies.
It is not like summer, with its long warm days and lingering sunsets and fresh tomatoes from the garden, nor like fall where every bit of wind starts a cascade of oak leaves that inevitably succumb to the power of gravity and carpet the land.
Winter at Sanctuary means trips to the woodshed and back to feed the stove, and trips to the edges of the property to spread buckets of ash that will nourish the earth. It is the battle of Woman vs The Cold as I close off certain rooms each night to focus warmth in the heart of the house for sleep, and then gradually reopen them again each morning when the wood stove gets back up to 400 degrees.There is no gardening in winter, and walks require so much outer wear that it becomes an act of will to make them happen. Watching weather reports while drinking my morning tea becomes routine as I gather such information as will the snow level drop lower than 3000 feet? and do I have enough supplies on hand to be comfortably house bound for several days?
Somehow, although days are shorter in the winter they seem longer. There is time to think about all manner of things that get squeezed out in other seasons. Existential questions and all the what if?'s that get tucked away in the outer reaches of my mind when it is warmer.
Recently during my devotions I latched onto this verse:
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. (Psalm 94:19)
I figure it must have been winter when the Psalmist wrote these words. I copied the verse in my journal and began a list entitled God's Consolations. And here is a sampler from that list.
music - piano, harp, singing
the sun, warm on my face and shoulders as I walk
a stedfast husband
creation - kitties, birds, rain on the roof, growing things
restful sleep
making things with my hands
friends - old and new
prayer
As we have barely begun February, I will undoubtedly have plenty of opportunity to reread my list and add to it. In fact, intentionally recognizing the diverse range of things that my heavenly Father provides for my consolation and wellbeing will now be season-less.
So here is my challenge: are anxious thoughts multiplying in your mind and heart? What are the unique consolations that God provides to bring not only comfort, but delight for your soul?
