Becoming HIS Tapestry

Christian Lifestyle Blogger

HERE I AM… EMBRACING WINTER

Hey friends, how are you today? It’s another beautiful day in my neighborhood, although the blustery wind makes the air outside feel like 13°.  But the sun is out and is forcing the clouds to give way to blue skies.  This weather is best appreciated from the inside looking out.  How are you? We are about eleven (11) weeks into the new year. At times, I can’t believe we are only eleven weeks into the year.  Sometimes, it feels like I’ve lived six months in eleven weeks.  Other times, I can’t believe eleven weeks have come and gone.  Where did the time go? 

This winter season has been snowier and certainly colder and longer than we’ve had in a few years. Still, I am thankful for this time.  The Lord has done great things, hasn’t He? He says creation leaves us without excuse in Romans 1:20 as to His existence and His eternal attributes.  

At the onset of the winter season, I prayed for a brief and barely there and felt season.   I wanted snow on Christmas Day; just enough to coat the ground and again, just a bit on New Year’s Day.  Just enough to remind us that this is winter.   

‘Man plans, God laughs’ is what I’ve been told lately.  We’ve received over one hundred inches of snow, and it was wonderful. “See Brenda… not having life go your way, at times, is good for you”.  Well…you didn’t have to say it so loud!   I heard you.  

I like comfort, most times, snow is uncomfortable.  I like easy but try driving in snowy conditions; it can be rather stressful. I do recall on several occasions of fervently and I mean fervently praying that the Lord would help me keep others and myself safe on the road.   I like slow, but chile…you better not drag your feet, as you go from one place to the another.  The slipping and sliding aren’t funny anymore and I’ve almost forgotten how to walk in heels.  I said ‘almost’.  

But already and in this season, the Lord has enabled me to try two new activities.  We tried snowshoes for the first time, this winter season.  I loved every minute of this new adventure.   It was … let’s just say, ‘interesting’ placing one foot in front of the other in these funny looking contraptions.  After a while… walking become easier, but that is a workout I tell you.  Like regular walking, you have to lift your feet, but my thighs felt the added weight during every step.  This will certainly be an activity to add to our winter season.  

Life is to be lived, even during this time of the year.  I can choose to complain about everything wrong with my world. Or I can choose to rejoice in each new day.  I can choose to bask in the faithfulness of our God and trust Him to keep His promises to me. Or I can live a fearful and anxious life.  The choices I make does not change the happenings of life, but it does reflect what I believe about God.  

How are you? Have you tried any new thing, place, or event? Did you choose a word for the year? I chose JOY.  

←
→

40 responses to “HERE I AM… EMBRACING WINTER”

  1. Do I see open toe shoes?! You must have froze your toes! I have never tried snowshoes, sounds … interesting. I used to skate in my younger years and also used to go cross-country skiing in my adult years. (Notice that I used to?) Now, it’s like you said, “This weather is best appreciated from the inside looking out.” We had a very long, cold winter with so much snow that people were shovelling their rooftops!

    I thank the Lord we got away for awhile when we visited our daughter on Whidbey Island — no snow!

    We have also been through several treacherous driving conditions and pray! I recite Psalm 23. My word for this year is TRUST. We trusted God in a dangerous blizzard on January 20 to watch the inauguration at our son’s house. A half hour drive took two hours, total white-out and we know it was His protection that got us to our destination safely.

    God is good … all the time!

    Blessings!

    ❤️carmen

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Hello, Brenda! To see “Becoming His Tapestry” in my email inbox made me smile! Delighted to read here how you embraced winter in spite of the extra snow. If we had more here, I might be willing to try snowshoes! Now that we’re twelve weeks into the new year, spring is definitely in evidence. A few warm days already have given us a chance to sit on the deck in the afternoon. I look forward to early mornings out there, for my quiet time. But it’ll need to get a bit warmer for that!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. I’m so glad I found your blog again! I know we used to follow each other when my blog was titled ‘My Blessing by Grace’ so I’m super excited to see what I’ve missed from you over the past few years! Xx 🙈

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. The snow was beautiful; we received more than usual. However, I have had more than enough of winter. I am thrilled to see the crocus blooming and the forsythia getting ready to bloom! 🌺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. And I thought we had snow here in So. IL. We did have more than usual although not as much as I remember as a child. I must say, I did enjoy the snow more then … but it’s still beautiful to look at—from inside a nice warm house.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I love the picture with those beautiful high heeled shoes in the snow, thumbing your nose at winter! 2 winters ago here in the heart of the Colorado Rockies we got over 8 feet of snow. I had to shovel moats around the fence in the yard cuz the dogs could just walk over the top.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Over 100 inches is a lot of snow! I don’t think we made it past 10 inches lol. Trusting God while exploring life and new things takes courage. I am glad he guides us as we step out on faith and be obedient. My word for the year is receive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Yay Brenda posted again 🙂
    I smiled at the thought of my sister in Christ who is originally from a warm climate enjoying walking with snow shoes. Maybe next year you can build an igloo for a fun night of sleeping outside 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. The Romans 8 quote may be appropriate for your first time in snowshoes! Those can take some getting used to and will work in your favor for good health and strength if you use them often enough!
    I will remember this winter 2024-2025 as one typical of when I was a “chile”‼️
    ❤️&🙏, c.a.
    ps; lose the heels in icy snow‼️‼️😂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • 😂😂I did lose the shoes for most of the rest of the winter. It was much too cold and too snowy. I love the reference of Romans 8 to the workout these shoes will help with😂😂. Was it a typical winter because of the cold or the snow? ⛄️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. HELLOOOO Brenda! ♥ 🤗 How good it is to see you again!

    I’m so glad you are embracing winter. We would not have minded if you’d sent some snow our way this year. We’re awfully dry.

    Those are some pretty cold, cute little toes in that picture. 😉

    I do enjoy snowshoeing. ‘Way back in college I took a woodworking class and made a pair of snowshoes for my dad (my parents lived on an 88-acre farm back then, and he liked to hunt). When he could no longer use them, he passed them on to me. I used to take them to my special ed class (severe/profound students), and everyone would take turns on them. Lots of falling and laughing and snow flailing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. I really like that you are adventurous enough to be willing to try new things! I chuckled at the photo of you in your open-toed heels in the snow! I wear tennis shoes and still can’t manage to stay upright on snow or ice!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.