Gifts In Wind, Water, and White

Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:39-40 

Ann Voskamp suggests in www.onethousandgifts.com, that we look for gifts in wind and water and white on March 12. Friday, the wind blew like the Lion of March. Trees whipped against each other scrubbing branches and waving away the birds. There is suppose to be rain tonight, turning to snow by morning. After weeks of spring weather, the snow clouds are gathering on this Saturday afternoon. The wind has calmed and the stillness of snow quiets the hillside. The smoke of the woodstoves drift low and slow through neighborhoods.  

Be still and know snow, the white covering of snow is coming. God is so thick in the stillness of the air, you can almost reach out and touch Him. It's a comforting, peaceful still. One that wraps you up in His arms and completely disarms you. The disciples were in the middle of a storm that  raged and winds that blew, but Jesus was at rest. When they called on Jesus, He immediately calmed the winds and the storm with the words, "Peace, be still."  

The winds may blow and the storms may rage, but God still speaks to calm our storms if we but ask. How is Jesus calming your storms this week? 

Hey Kids: 

Have you noticed how weather affects your mood, your thoughts, your actions? 

I've noticed a windy day makes my kids loud and wild, just like the wind.  

Rain is usually calming unless there's thunder and lightning. Then there's a tingle of fear in the air.  

And snow – snow makes us happy and peaceful and HUNGRY! Seems all we do is cook and eat between the sledding.  

As winter turns to spring there are lots of variables in the weather.  

Try keeping a weather journal.  

Be sure to include how the weather affects your mood and those around you.  

How can understanding the weather better help you understand yourself and your family?  

The Bible tells us to pray for one another. When the weather makes us or our family a little grumpy, don’t forget that the disciples had to ask Jesus to calm the storm before they sank. 

Blessings, 

Gail