Snow has blanketed our neighborhood.

So white.  And clean.  And quiet.  And beautiful.

 

Snowy Birdfeeding station - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

In the quietness this morning I heard the carillon of a nearby church.  Though I was not familiar with the tune, I got caught up in listening to the beauty of the music…calling us to pull away from ourselves….calling us to communion with God…to rest….in Him.

 

The snow seems to do the same.

Inviting us to slow down, to pause, and to reflect the solitude of that shimmering white blanket.

Do you do that?  

Do you cozy in with family, with a good book, or maybe – in silence?

In quiet moments we might reflect on the past 363 days.

What will we take with us into the New Year?

What will we leave behind?

 

One thing I know I will surely bring with me into 2013 is a heart of gratitude.  Generally I am a grateful person.  But, this past year, I read Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts.  It increased my awareness of the importance of being grateful for and in all things.  In reading, I realized how Jesus exemplified and demonstrated gratitude while he walked the earth.  And that my getting it right makes so much difference in how I see the world around me and how I interact with the masses of humanity who share this place with me.

 

Goldfinch feeding in the snow - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Whether you are blessed with snow at your house, or simply the ability to imagine it covering your little part of the world; take some time to think about a God who loves you so very much.  His love covers you like that blanket of snow….giving you rest, comfort, security, and peace.

I like how the snow covers up all the ugliness in the world and it becomes magnificent.  God’s love does that for us too.   When we let him, he forgives our ugliness and sin and makes us into something beautiful.  {{Yes!!!}}

 

Joy Day! - Snow along the Stream at Linn Run State Park- AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

As I move into the New Year, I want to do it beautifully and fully.  One of the best ways to do that is to count His gifts.  Some He purposed for us, others He allowed.  It’s difficult to be grateful for those He allowed that have proven to be difficulties.  And yet, I am reminded that He really does…work all things for our good. 

 

It’s Joy Day!

 

Will you join me in counting seven?
You choose….either from 2012 or just this past week.

I’ll start…
My heart is full of gratitude for:

  1. Perfect love and the perfect gift – Jesus
  2. The gift of nonslip ‘chains’ for my boots
  3. The gift of movie tickets to see Les Mes with my husband
  4. Goldfinches fluttering at the feeders
  5. The deepening blanket of white
  6. Pain in the night and the knowledge that God is my healer
  7. George Frederic Handel and the musicians who play and sing the “Messiah”

It’s your turn!!  Count your gifts in the “share your thoughts” section below.

Take a few minutes to reflect and count…. and watch your joy meter rise!!

 

May your New Year be overflowing with JOY!

Diane

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Comments

  1. Mel says

    Oh, what a pretty place for the birdies to dine. And what an awesome photo with that time tested tree at the waters edge…..looks like an old rail bridge behind that tree–what a beauty of a spot to capture.

    *laughing* I’m learning (re-learning, perhaps) all sorts of lessons on ‘being still’……….snow or not! (but we do have an abundance happening here and it is so quiet and clean and crisp with daily dustings…) A good book, a bit of a lap project or two….and coffee served up any time I like! LOL It’s all good, even if whining happens now and then (and more..LOL…I’m a whiner, I own it!)

    And my seven:

    1. The peeping sound of the nut hatch as he makes his way down the tree by the window.
    2. Working with people who show up at the house to include me during my healing time at home.
    3. The ‘stash’ of pretties I have that enables me to create from the couch. LOL Yes, the livingroom is a mess!
    4. The courageous trek of he-who-waded-in-snow to feed the birdies (generally my passion, bless his heart!)
    5. The beautiful music of Adam Hurst’s cello that floods my heart.
    6. Snow, snow…..wonderful snow!
    7. That I am being so well taken care of. In so many ways…….

    • Diane says

      What a wonderful list!!! I bet have counting your seven you don’t whine a bit. 😀 What sweet blessings.
      And YOU are a sweet blessing to me too! Thank you…from the bottom of my heart!

  2. Laura says

    Thank you, Diane. May your new year overflow with joy as well! I’m so glad you have shared your voice with the Playdates with God community in 2012. It has been a pleasure to sit and listen. Much love to you in 2013!

    • Diane says

      It’s a real privilege for me to join in the Playdates with God community. A terrific source of inspiration and encouragement awaits me every week.
      Thank YOU, Laura!!

  3. Thank you for sharing the beautiful snow. We have nothing but sunshine here in the desert. It has been a blessing to me to visit here today. Thank you for sharing. I linked this to Spiritual Sundays for you. I contacted the linky person and he says they are working frantically to fix the problem. Thank you for your patience.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    • Diane says

      Some days I wish I could send you the snow and have some of your sunshine!!! 😀 Haha!
      Thank you for visiting and blessing me with your kind words, Charlotte!

  4. Nikki says

    this is a wonderful way to look at things…especially winter. I was thinking that I’m not a great fan of cold and snow but I like what you said. It’s a time to slow down….

    • Diane says

      Oh Nikki…thank you!!!
      We’ve gotten our fair share this winter. 😀 Haha!

  5. Gayle says

    “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white…” Thank you, Lord.

  6. Renee says

    What a wonderful list and I do like the visual of the snow blanketing our sins…”they shall be as white as snow” as the Bible says.
    My list?
    1. Having the love and companionship of my husband for over 44 years
    2. Our sweet dog Levi who makes us laugh
    3. All our grandchildren that grace our lives
    4. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives
    5. My husbands overnight healing from Lyme, arthritis sleep apea, and more!
    6. Walking outside in the brisk air
    7. Our warm home

    • Diane says

      So much to be thankful for….so much joy to ensue!! Yay God! So excited to rejoice with you on your husband’s healing too!
      Thanks, Renee, for stopping by and taking time to share and count your gifts from the past week! 😀

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