The Winter That Actually Showed Up . . .

Or, what global warming? After almost ten years of living in Tennessee, we've had a real winter this year. We've seen more snow so far this year than all the other nine years put together. The boys are even a bit tired of it, and I've had to drive in it, which is a real stretch for this lifelong Southerner. I just don't know if I could live any further north without ending up with winter depression, though - we saw the sun yesterday, and my mood was noticeably better than it has been in a while.

However, as I look out my window and watch a cardinal and a blue jay hopping around the yard, 'our' herd of deer feeding on the grass, or see a rabbit crashing through the underbrush, all of which I've enjoyed this week, I'm reminded that seasons are necessary. Without the cold of winter, would I really appreciate spring? Without the dormant season, bleak and harsh with cold, would the lush green of summer be as beautiful? Without the times when God seems far away (or in truth, when I've wandered away from Him), would I appreciate His provision? Because He always provides, even as He does for His creatures I've watched today. Thinking about these things led me to these verses . . .

Luke 12:25-32 (New American Standard Bible)
25"And which of you by worrying can add a single [a](A)hour to his [b]life's span?
26"If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
27"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even (B)Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
28"But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? (C)You men of little faith!
29"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not (D)keep worrying.
30"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
31"But seek His kingdom, and (E)these things will be added to you.
32"(F)Do not be afraid, (G)little flock, for (H)your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.