A Snowy Day

Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. I Chronicles 11:22 NKJV

A pristine snow covered the ground, covered the snags, and leveled the dips. The sun glistened and sparkled in the cold. Benaiah trudged home alone across the snow. He pulled his cloak close as the wind whipped around him. He had walked since sunup and now the cold was beginning to bite through his whiskers. Perhaps he should look for shelter, but where in this barren land? 

There, a hole in the snow. Perhaps there was a cave. Benaiah moved closer. A thatch partially covered the hole as if something or someone had fallen through. Again, the wind whipped his cloak, reminding Benaiah he needed to find shelter soon or he would succumb to the freezing temperature. He hoped no one or nothing was still in the pit. Grabbing a piece of the thatch he lowered himself into the dark pit. 

A low growl came from the dark end of the pit, growing louder and coming closer. As it entered the light of the hole, Banaiah saw a huge male lion shaking his head from side to side as he continued to growl at the man who invaded his privacy. 

The growl became a roar. Benaiah reached for his sword tucked under his cloak. He snatched the lion's mane before it could lunge for him. In warrior motion, Benaiah swiped his sword across the bare part of the lion's neck, slicing through to the jugular vein. The lion reared back, pawed the air, then dropped to the floor of the pit. Benaiah wiped the blade clean across the fur of the lion before tucking it away. The odor of blood was nauseating. The smell was not unfamiliar to Benaiah who fought many battles for David. He would rest before facing the snow and cold again in the morning. 

It seems odd to find such a story in the middle of the stories of David's mighty men. There was no one involved but Benaiah. His act was one of self-defense. Maybe a closer look will show us the heavenly meaning behind this earthly story. 

When I think of snow, I think of beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. Serene in all its glory, but is it? The snow completely covers the ground causing us to miss the dips and pits that trip us and cause twisted ankles, broken legs, and tragic falls. And so the world looks good. It promises beauty and peace and a prosperous life. When we try to find our hope in the things of the world, it covers the pitfalls and hides the tragedies.  

We often think we can shelter in our families, friends, and even church. We should never let our guard down. For Satan, walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He may lie quiet as a small thing in our lives and homes but his roar will grow in intensity unless we, like Benaiah, are armed with the sword of the Lord. Jesus used scripture to thwart Satan's temptations in the wilderness. We too must be armed and ready to face our lions with the word of God. Though the battle may leave its stench in our memories, through Christ there is rest before we face another day. 

Heavenly Father, help us hide your word in our hearts that we might not sin against you and that we may stay every attempt of Satan to destroy our testimony before others. In Jesus's name. Amen

 

Weathering the Hard Stuff

  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10,11

A seed dropped into the ground does not sprout without water. We sing a song about showers of blessings. We want revival. We want to see people come to know the Lord, to be saved. We want to see the "seeds" we plant in witnessing bring forth fruit, but what about the rain? What about the snow? 

Dark clouds bring rain. Often there is thunder and lightning. Rainy days are dreary and hard to get through. We usually don't like rainy days, but that's what it takes for seeds to sprout and grow and produce food. 

Dark cold clouds bring snow. Here in the south, we love snow but farther north it may not be so much fun. People say they have "cabin fever". They're tired of being inside. But snow also brings a time of quiet and peace over the land. The seeds in the ground are growing roots. Though no sprouts are yet surfacing things are happening. 

So what does all that have to do with revival and seeing people come to the Lord? It may be that we are too comfortable in the sunshine of our lives to really be willing to allow the storm clouds and the cold snow. Our roots are shallow and it may be showing in our witness. When cabin fever takes over, our family and friends often get the brunt of our frustrations. We could allow the time to be better spent finding ways for our spiritual roots to grow. When the storm clouds of life gather we are often frustrated by politics, jobs, or sickness. We may be praying for the storm to pass, failing to see that it may water the seeds of witness. Weathering life's storms can be hard, but if it causes the seed of witness to sprout and grow will it not be worth it? 

Heavenly Father, help me not to be frustrated by circumstances. Help me rather see how I can use those circumstances to be a demonstration of your peace to others around me. Help me weather the storms with grace so that others may know there is comfort in Christ. For it is in Christ Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Wonderfully Made

 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. ~Psalms 139:14 KJV

My niece, out playing in the snow with her sons, took close-up pictures of the snow on their hats. She obviously has a great camera to take such detailed pictures. Amazing that man can make a camera like that. Oh, I just said, “Man made a camera.” But what about snowflakes? Are they complicated? Simply put, they are snow crystals that enlarge and change shape as water vapor changes into ice without going through the liquid state. I wonder if the frozen fog would be snow formed on the trees.

It's amazing that God can make a person who is so much more detailed in every respect. The explanation of the making of a person is so much more complicated than that of a snow crystal. Scientists still aren’t sure why snow crystals grow with six sides and form symmetrically.  Explaining exactly how a person is formed is still a mystery too that scientists can only observe. That’s why this month is Sanctity of Life month. A time to stop and reflect on how precious each life is whether young, old, middle-aged or at the moment of conception. All life is precious and purposeful. Whether a person is a great statesman, a mom, or a mechanic, they each serve a great purpose. Using the talents God has given us to serve Him is an even greater purpose. God has given each of us something precious and holy, life itself. May we use our lives for His glory this year and always.

Heavenly Father, help us see the wonders of your creation with new eyes. Help us see ourselves and others as wonderfully made. May we cherish each life from the moment of conception to the last heartbeat of old age, realizing each person has a purpose that you have planned. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Would you like to learn more about snowflakes? Maybe even make a snowflake? Here's a great site.

Please let us know what you've learned about snowflakes. 

Maybe you'd like to share something wonderful you've learned about yourself as God's marvelous creation. 

Be Still and Know

One final winner of the December give away... Jetta Allen! Jetta wins Edie Melson's book While My Child is Away. Jetta if you will email or PM me your address, I'll put your book in the mail as soon as the snow melts. Thank you to all the email subscribers and followers who encourage me each week. I hope I encourage you in some small way.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10

The weatherman predicted record cold with moisture rising from the Gulf to meet the sinking arctic air. Snow was on every mind. Hurry to gather groceries, meet deadlines, check the woodpile and the flashlight batteries.

It started with the gathering of clouds and robins in the yard. The still, the quiet, the smell, it all said snow. Then a small twirling flake, and another, and another. Faster, thicker, the white fluff clung to points grass and elbows of trees. Close the schools and make the last mad rush for milk and bread only to find empty shelves and long lines. Hurry home through driving snow, black snow. The speed of the car and the thick falling of the snow created a darkness that was blinding. But snow was white, light. How then this darkness, this blindness?

The speed of life does not wait to contemplate the Light, though the Light gently swirls around us every day. If we look below, it softly falls around our walk. If we look above, it lights gently on our faces. If we look straight ahead, the Light is there in every nook and corner of our lives. At the speed of life, Light is not allowed to shine. It's like the fear of the unknown, the confusion of being told of beauty without the ability to see. It is only when we take the time to "Be Still" that we can know that He is God. He is here to light our way, shine down on us and direct our paths.

How easily we forget and allow hurry and deadlines, woodpiles and the ever ready battery that runs our lives to keep us in darkness. "Be still. Be still and know. Be still and know that I am God," He gently calls to us. May the blessing of the snow allow us the time to be still.

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

How can you see God this week? 

Look around your feet.

Look up. 

Look straight ahead.

Can you see the longsuffering of God, His gentleness, His goodness? 
These are the fruits He can help us demonstrate but we must first see how He demonstrates these fruits to us. 

Here's a hint to get you started: 
Those winter trees you see in the yard that look dead, watch how they change in the next few weeks. Watch them come to life. 
Jesus is demonstrating how we sometimes have to wait to see the good come of a situation. 
When the tender leaves and blossoms begin to show in the spring and the gentle breezes blow, it reminds us of the gentle way God deals with us.
As that tree begins to come into full fruit, it can remind us of the goodness of God to help us grow into fruitful Christians. 
Fill your fruit bowl with longsuffering, gentleness and goodness this week.