Winter Wisdom

Winter does this to me, makes me feel lost. I become reclusive and dream of Spring. I don't know if it is the cold or lack of vitamin D or less contact with people or less activity at the ranch or the ache in my joints. I feel farther from God and start questioning everything. I think drastic thoughts about change-- moving, taking a new job, doing something different... it's almost like a desparate attempt to elude the winter desolation. I do this every year so this year I decided to remember the years past, what can I learn from them, how can I get through this winter by the Wisdom those years have shown me. The conclusion: Don't make any rational decision until Spring!! Spring changes everything.

So I turned back to God's word-- which by the way I had been avoiding along with everything else. Not because of intentional avoidance just neglect as I recoiled into my winter fetal position awaiting Spring's strike out to face the world again.

I love reading God's word so I don't understand what keeps me from reading it everyday. Today's gem was no disappointment, it reminded me that Christ did not come to the earth to make us all best friends but to draw a clear line between his followers and his enemies. Amazing how that is becoming so clear in the headlines as well as in our own homes. Jesus says, "God blesses those who do not turn away because of me."

God's word brings Wisdom to desparate hearts even in the desolation of winter, in the midst of this battle we wage toward peace and harmony for heaven's sake. In a perpetual seperation that can not be stopped, can not be reasoned, can not be persuaded, we cling to our Prince of Peace for Winter's Wisdom.

"Wisdom offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly." Proverbs 3:16-18. She is found in the Word of Our God, the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac.