Psalm 147:12-20
Your Story
Where do you see God at work in winter?
My Story and the Bible Story
Winter can be a dark, dreary time. But it can also be filled with wonders. I absolutely love snow. As soon as it starts falling, I want to go out in it and take pictures. And if it sticks, I wait impatiently until there’s enough to build a snowman. For people who live in colder climates, snow may be an everyday occurrence. But for those of us who live in the south, snow is one of the wonders of winter. It doesn’t always come, but it’s special when it does. Have you ever thought about the beauty of snow? Maybe you hate to shovel it, or maybe you love snow, but have you ever stopped to look at individual flakes? Each flake is a little bit different. It seems like perhaps those flakes are the fingerprints of God, coming down to touch us where we are.
Read Psalm 147:12-20. From The Message: “Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. He launches his promises earthward—how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts hail like birdseed—who can survive his winter? Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter—and suddenly it’s spring! He speaks the same way to Jacob, speaks words that work to Israel. He never did this to the other nations; they never heard such commands. Hallelujah!”
“He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes.” Can you picture that? God spreading a blanket of snow to cover us, scattering frost like we scatter ashes. What a beautiful picture of winter. There’s nothing quite as peaceful as the woods on a winter day when everything is covered in snow. Everything is so…still. Peaceful. Quiet. And perhaps that’s why God created snow, to quiet our spirits and to help us slow down. And then, when it seems as if winter will last forever and it will never be warm, “he breathes on winter—and suddenly it’s spring!” A warm wind begins to blow, the snow melts, and flowers bloom.
Winter is a time when we hunker down. We stay in the warmth of our homes, in front of fires drinking hot chocolate. Or we dress in the warmest clothes we can find and venture outside. And we wait for the thaw to come, for new life to begin again. And that new life: trees, flowers, etc. is sweeter because we have lived through winter. In those times when it seems as if winter will never end, remember that perhaps God is calling you to sit and be still. Wait for Him to quiet your spirit and help you slow down. And when you slow down, watch for the wonders of winter.
Discussion
• As a family, talk about each person’s favorite part of winter.
• Ask your children where they see God during winter.
Prayer
Thank God for the things you love about winter. Ask God to help you and your family slow down and recapture its wonder.
Jessica Asbell is currently serving as the Minister to Children at First Baptist Church of Roswell, GA. She has worked with children in various capacities at several churches, including Winter Park Baptist in Wilmington, NC, First Baptist of Decatur, GA, and Highland Hills Baptist in Macon, GA. She has a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology and a BBA from Mercer University. In her spare time she loves to read, watch movies, and of course spend time with her sweet kitty, Lucy.
