Sunday Words of Encouragement January 7, 2018

We have been in cold weather all week. We left Illinois to visit with friends in LaGrange Kentucky. Although the temperatures were about the same (under 20°) it seemed colder because the air had more humidity. We could see each breath which made me think how we take those breaths we don’t see most of the time for granted. Just as we take the God of the universe for granted because we don’t see Him directly, even though we can see his hand at work every day, every moment if we really consider it.

As we drove further south from Kentucky, through Tennessee to Alabama I watched the scenery pass. The fields and ponds were clearly frozen in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. The morning we woke and headed into Alabama I realized I had missed some good photos of rather stark images.

I took this image although it does not deliver the full import of better images I didn't take pictures of.

This fits with the devotional that went with my Bible reading. Sometimes life looks bleak, but like bees who cluster during the cold weather, they are preparing for a spring of growth and renewal. From now on when I see a bleak landscape I plan to give thanks to God for a time of resting to prepare for the time of renewal.

I had some songs on new life but this one seemed to fit best.

Alive Again.

Verses for Today:
Isaiah 43:18-19
Remember not the former things,nor consider the things of old.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Lord, I pray that you allow me to always see a blessing is coming through the bleakness.