-In Winter-

Our heavenly Father,
even within these overcast days
I am deeply touched
by the timeless beauty
which Your mighty Hand creates ...

My heart looks out
witnessing the bare limbs
of ancient trees
inclining toward Your heavens
and I sense Your Presence,
Your wisdom,
Your Spirit in creation ...

Oh, these days!!
when all is cast
in opalescent shades,
when clouds are
the expanse of the entire sky ...

Though it may seem bleak
to many,
it is within these cold,
striking days of late winter
that my spirit truly clings to you,
my Lord, my God ...

For it is within
the shadows of the seasons
that Your mercy and Light
illuminates our way
(leading us to repentance),
comforts our tears
(giving us hope),
and
evokes obedience in our hearts
(so, that Your Spirit may saturate
our lives) ...

Let us incline
toward our Father's Hand,
so that He may reveal
His redemptive purpose
through
the days of winter
in our lives.

 by Dolores Treadway
 written March, 1994