Songs of Winter

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 339: Today I am grateful for the songs of winter. 

There are not really that many that come instantly to mind. "Baby It's Cold Outside" comes to mind, but there are others. "Let It Go" is more recent from Disney's movie "Frozen." Here are a few more:

"Oh What a Night-Late December '63"
"Hazy Shade of Winter"
"Cold as Ice"
"Jingle Bells" (Thanksgiving song)
"Let Is Snow"

"Snowbird" 

"Do You Want to Build a Snowman"

I am sure every genre has a few. Music is powerful. It can change our mood and our mindset. I am grateful for any song that helps me embrace the winter days. Again, I am reminded that all seasons come for a reason... including winter. The snow provides the earth with water. A good freeze has its purpose, too. 

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,  and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;" -Isaiah 55:10

A winter playlist is a great way to survive January and February. 

Today I am grateful for the songs of winter. 

A Glimpse of Color

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 338: Today, I am grateful for a glimpse of color in winter.

There has been snow on the ground every day this December. Of course, it is only December 4th, but it feels like a long time since we have had this kind of a start to winter. Eight inches of snow that sticks. 

There is beauty in the blanket of snow. It makes me see the glimpses of color on the landscape better. An artist calls it "white space." In this case, the snow is literally white.  It makes the colors stand out. 

What unexpected glimpse of color do you see out your window? If you live near the beach, it may be sea glass in the sand. If you live in the desert, it might be a cactus in bloom. Nature is full of wonder and color. 

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” – Genesis 1:31

"Let heaven and nature sing." 

Today, I am grateful for a glimpse of color in winter.

Ornament Memories

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 337: Today, I am grateful for ornament memoires. 

One of the sweetest parts of unpacking the Christmas tree ornaments each year are the memories that flood back. When you have nearly 40 years of memories in a box, it is a trip back in time. 

On our crystal tree, we have ornaments we purchased the first year we were married after Christmas at Bergners in Sheridan Village in Peoria. Over the years, a few of the glass icicles have broken, but many remain and are carefully packed away each January. 

On our family tree, the most special ornaments are the ones related to our boys in different seasons of life. The grade school handmade treasures, with school pictures are classics. Precious and priceless! The ornaments from vacations or mile markers in the boys' lives. 

It is not always the prettiest ornaments that capture our hearts, but the ones that remind us that we are loved, treasured, and remembered. 

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them." -Luke 12:6

Savor the memories. 

Today, I am grateful for ornament memoires.

The Power of Light

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 334: Today, I am grateful for the power of light. 

We have been through power outages. In our home, it is not common, but when it happens... it is a reminder of the blessing of light and power at the flip of a switch. (And the blessing of neighbors who generously share their generator.)

Light changes everything. We were told to go out and be salt and light. "Be the change" means being a change agent. 

In English, the sun and the Son are homophones. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings. Interestingly, they have similar qualities. Ultimately, the Son was present at the creation of the sun. (John 1:1) 

The earth relies on the sun for light and life as our sweet little blue planet makes its orbit around the sun each year. In the same way, we rely on (or reject) the Son who came to be the Light of the Word in a time when much seemed dark and hopeless. Had God's people stopped looking for the Messiah? Is that why they missed him? We have to close our eyes to not see light.  

The number of prophecies fulfilled in Jesus is mathematically mind boggling. Psalm 22 was written long before Jesus carried the cross to Golgotha and soldiers gambled for his robe. It gives me chills to read it even now. (John 19:23-25)

If Christ had arrived in this modern time, would we have recognized the prophecies fulfilled? Would we have believed and received? Would we have ignored the obvious? 

I love light. I rarely pull window shades, even in the summer's heat. I need the light and the Light. Both change my days. 

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5 

Today, I am grateful for the power of light.