“It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.” Psalm 74:17
Warmth On A Winter's Day
By Shannon Pederson
Joseph J. Mazzella is the founder of Eagle Spirit Ministry. He is the happily married father of three who lives in the mountains of West Virginia. Various dogs and cats have adopted Joe and his family for their own. Joe enjoys his family, beauty, love and hearing from friends. He likes to take the time to smell the roses and enjoy the beauty around him as he goes about his daily life. One of Joe’s passions is writing short stories about his beautiful surroundings and how he is affected by God’s love when he spends time communing with nature. Here is one of those stories.
It was the start of a typical winter's day here in the mountains of my home. Outside the grass was frosted and the ground crunched under my feet. The sun was rising but it did nothing to ease the cold. I could feel the bitter air seeping into my bones. My own breath froze in my nose while I walked my dogs. Still, I stopped to look at the magnificent pinks and purples in the heavens. It was so glorious. I gave thanks to God for another beautiful if freezing day. After a while even my dogs seemed to feel the chill. They quickly pulled me back towards the house and once inside wolfed down their breakfast and curled up in the sunbeams coming through the windows for their morning nap. I smiled as I watched them and then made a hearty bowl of oatmeal for myself.
After breakfast I pulled on my favorite sweater and slowly sipped a cup of coffee. I heard the gentle thumping noise as the heater kicked on again and warm air started to flow from the floor vents. I laughed too as I saw my youngest son hurry over to stand on one of the vents and warm his feet. In spite of the biting cold on this frozen winter's day, I felt warmth in my soul.
I looked out my window and once more gave thanks to God for the day. I was grateful that while it was winter outside my window, it was no longer winter inside my heart. For too many long years it had felt like winter there. For too many years the world had seemed cold and harsh. For too many years I had foolishly stayed away from the warmth of God's love.
On this day, however, I felt the fire of His love heating my heart and lighting my soul. On this day I felt a spring time of joy growing inside of me. I knew that God was with me and within me and that my own love would only grow warmer as well. Don't let your own heart stay in winter. Welcome God's love and light into it today. Then go out and share your spring with the world.
Winter is a season to be enjoyed just as any other in life. The Bible has much to say about winter time. Though the world may seem bleak and gray outside, we always have the love of Jesus to warm our hearts and homes! Have a blessed day everyone!
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22
Joseph J. Mazzella is the founder of Eagle Spirit Ministry. He is the happily married father of three who lives in the mountains of West Virginia. Various dogs and cats have adopted Joe and his family for their own. Joe enjoys his family, beauty, love and hearing from friends. He likes to take the time to smell the roses and enjoy the beauty around him as he goes about his daily life. One of Joe’s passions is writing short stories about his beautiful surroundings and how he is affected by God’s love when he spends time communing with nature. Here is one of those stories.
It was the start of a typical winter's day here in the mountains of my home. Outside the grass was frosted and the ground crunched under my feet. The sun was rising but it did nothing to ease the cold. I could feel the bitter air seeping into my bones. My own breath froze in my nose while I walked my dogs. Still, I stopped to look at the magnificent pinks and purples in the heavens. It was so glorious. I gave thanks to God for another beautiful if freezing day. After a while even my dogs seemed to feel the chill. They quickly pulled me back towards the house and once inside wolfed down their breakfast and curled up in the sunbeams coming through the windows for their morning nap. I smiled as I watched them and then made a hearty bowl of oatmeal for myself.
After breakfast I pulled on my favorite sweater and slowly sipped a cup of coffee. I heard the gentle thumping noise as the heater kicked on again and warm air started to flow from the floor vents. I laughed too as I saw my youngest son hurry over to stand on one of the vents and warm his feet. In spite of the biting cold on this frozen winter's day, I felt warmth in my soul.
I looked out my window and once more gave thanks to God for the day. I was grateful that while it was winter outside my window, it was no longer winter inside my heart. For too many long years it had felt like winter there. For too many years the world had seemed cold and harsh. For too many years I had foolishly stayed away from the warmth of God's love.
On this day, however, I felt the fire of His love heating my heart and lighting my soul. On this day I felt a spring time of joy growing inside of me. I knew that God was with me and within me and that my own love would only grow warmer as well. Don't let your own heart stay in winter. Welcome God's love and light into it today. Then go out and share your spring with the world.
Winter is a season to be enjoyed just as any other in life. The Bible has much to say about winter time. Though the world may seem bleak and gray outside, we always have the love of Jesus to warm our hearts and homes! Have a blessed day everyone!
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22