365 2014 Day 6 Beauty in the Barren

Cold, cold day here. I think it’s cold everywhere on this side of the earth. We are reaching record lows tonight. There is extra work to be done, covering pipes, cleaning stalls for the horses, and hauling water to and fro for them. I felt tired as soon as I awoke knowing the day held more responsibilities than usual. I pulled on my heavy farm coat and invited Janey to go outside with me. I needed to let my spirit breathe. The winter wind was strong, knocking the leafless trees against each other. I glanced up toward the sound and saw the bluest of skies complete with puffy clouds. I smiled. Puffy clouds are a favorite of mine.

The woods are so barren. The deep sleep of winter has hushed the green away. But it is lovely. I can see the shapes of all the trees, their limbs reaching toward one another and up into the heavens. They look like people to me, all unique and lovely in their own way. When I reached the bottom of the hill behind the barn, I saw the swampy area that we never venture into. Today I was drawn to it. I could see the sky reflecting in its stillness. (Reflections are also a favorite of mine.) Janey was more than happy to join me as I headed into the muddy mire.  She ran circles around me as I pulled out my camera to capture the heavens at my feet.  Autumn’s leaves were beautifully preserved mixing their oranges with the blues of the sky.

I was mesmerized. “Thank you”, I breathed out to my Father God.

I had indeed seen beauty even in the barrenness of winter. He is good and he never changes.

Psalm 74:16,17 ~” The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”