So many are ready to be done with the snow and ice. Eyes are already set on a Spring that isn’t ready to receive. Yet, the snow comes from the Father, bringing gifts – if we’d but open them, find the grace embed, read the messages designed within them. Set your eyes on what He has brought you now, gifts of extravagant love.
“He orders the snow, ‘Blanket the earth!’
and the rain, ‘Soak the whole countryside!’
“No one can escape the weather—it’s there.
And no one can escape from God.
Wild animals take shelter,
crawling into their dens,”
“When blizzards roar out of the north
and freezing rain crusts the land.
It’s God’s breath that forms the ice,
it’s God’s breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.”
“And yes, it’s God who fills clouds with rainwater
and hurls lightning from them every which way.”
“He puts them through their paces—first this way, then that—
commands them to do what he says all over the world.”
“Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love,
he makes sure they make their mark” (Job 37:6-13).
(I see a crown here – don’t you? – a leafy crown tipped in snow diamonds)
Maybe you’re praying for Spring to be early. Consider that often, the most important living happens in the wait of a prayer sent out.
God brought it, and I met it, welcomed it (though I’m not comfortable driving in it). I bundled up and set out, camera in hand – and made myself look for what He’d brought me. I inhaled crisp, invigorating air (i.e. gasping cold air). I walked carefully over the white crunchy snow-covered ice to a wooded area (i.e. slippery) and found stories and art: the remnants of a fort made by a band of brothers a few winters past, a nest at the base of a tree, lined with leaves, broken trees covered in snow blankets. When I bent low, wondering what God had brought me, I found a leafy crown tipped with snow diamonds. God’s designs were everywhere – and ever changing.
If I hadn’t determined to look, I wouldn’t have found them. God’s extravagant love is available, even in the snow and ice, even in the uncomfortable places! Are you determined to find them in all seasons and all weather?
Beautiful. Photos and words. God bless.
Thank you, Liana – Job 37: 6-13 encouraged me to see God in everything around me – even the bitter cold and snow! Shalom!
Beautiful verses Maryleigh especially verse 13 xxx
It all leads up to that verse – and then, I have to sit and pause – and know that if it is discipline or grace – it’s all done with extravagant love! Shalom!
Thank you for the beautiful photos. I am your neighbor at Sandra’s linkup
Thank you for coming by, Gina! Wishing you blessing and refreshing in your week!
~Maryleigh
Wow! Man what an enjoyable visit. I relished in your words and smiled at the beauty He gave you. You are His treasure – Eyes that see and ears that hear. Thank you for sharing. Don’t every question the value of what you share because God is always in it. Blessing back at cha… Chris~
Thank you, Chris, for your sweet, uplifting words!Praying that you find His treasures He left for you this week! Shalom!
Maryleigh
Gorgeous photos! I am also surrounded by snow, ice and cold right now but your perspective brings me out of my funk and focuses me instead on the gift that God just blessed me with. Thank you for linking up at The Weekend Brew. This post gave me a new perspective in the midst of a long winter.
Our ice was almost all rained away last night and we have a heavy fog – and I look through the fog and try to see what God has for me there, too – gifts waiting to be revealed! Wising you a God-reveal week! Thanks for coming by!
~Maryleigh
Oh, I love photos of winter. Such chilling beauty! I love yours, sweetie. 😀
Hi Lynn, I cannot coax my aunt near you to find God’s gifts in the snow – she is ready to be done with it! Praying you guys are safe, warm – and finding God’s gifts in it all! So glad you stopped by! {Hugs}~Maryleigh
Beautiful pictures of the glory that comes when snow blankets creation and illuminates the hidden beauty that our eyes can’t see without it. 😉 This quote about the most important living, ” it happens in the wait of a prayer sent out.”. The faith to belive that he hears and answers our prayers, it pulls us to our knees and bowing our heads trusting the outcome and teaching us patience.
Blessings,
Dawn
Oh, yes, Dawn – I used to keep my eyes focused on the return prayer and miss the living in the wait – and then I discovered that it is in the wait of that prayer where my relationship with Him grows – the trust, the hope, the faith – that’s where it starts blooming riotously – if it’s not neglected! So glad you came by – and so blessed that you picked up on that line. It’s very special to me!
Shalom
~Maryleigh
What beautiful photos, thank you for sharing them and our need to wait on God’s perfect timing. Blessings
Waiting has never been my strength – I read the ends of books first, hate suspense – and God has worked really hard with me to see the importance of how I live in the wait of the prayer sent out!
Shalom
~Maryleigh
Photos and words are wonderful. AND with the weather hitting so many more people than usual, it’s quite a challenge. Thank you for sharing.
I just saw that this is the anniversary of the blizzard of 78. We were out of school for weeks – and it was cold, especially in our house. I remember rotating in front of the fire place – because it was a very old house with very little easy heat. Some of the sweetest memories I have are from that blizzard 🙂 The eastern part of our county has been declared a state of emergency due to the ice and power lines down. I was reading through Ann’s 1000 gifts last night again – and found this quote: “Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn’t rescue the suffering. The converse does. The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world.” Praying for those facing challenges to find God’s grace and joy! Thanks for coming by, Joanne!
Such beauty! I’m glad you took the time to go outside and really look around. That’s something I love to do, too. Being out there has a way of calming me and giving me inspiration. Thank you for sharing your words, your photos and Scripture! 🙂
When I took my camera out – expecting to find blessings from God – He met me out there! It was a beautiful Father-daughter time! You are so right – it is calming – because nothing else really goes with me! Blessings Gayl!
Noticing…it’s the offshoot of my #oneword365 this year- SLOW. Like you, I’m pressing in and through to truly see. There is so much beauty, so much grace. I love this…you’re the #GiveMeGrace Wordsmith of the Week!
Slowing down to notice, to see – to steep ourselves in what He gives! This week I discovered the Quality Time were the top 2 love languages of my two youngest – and I am so blessed that God has allowed me to slow down and see that! There’s much to be found in the slow of the daily! Thank you for coming by, Lisha – and for the huge word hug:) (though the good stuff was Job!) I’m going to tell my boys!!! Shalom!
~Maryleigh
I did see the crown – how cool is that? You know what is REALLY nuts? My lasted Musing on my ministry website is entitled the exact same thing as this post. I loved yours for all the crispy beauty you showed me in HIs beautiful amazing world! He really does so much we don’t see… unless we slow down and make time to really look. Awesome post.
Forgot I changed title! I thought of this post today when we got hit with snow so I went out and saw such beauty. Thank you for this post.
Beautiful pictures! Winter is finally showing up here. It truly is nice to appreciate our surroundings.
XOXO
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