Oh, winter… nothing makes you want to take it slow like the beautiful chill of winter. Our Wisconsin winter got off to a weird start but we finally have a crusty blanket of icy snow that is covering the ground and a cold that requires you to bundle up. The Christmas decorations are all down, though I’ve left one set of white lights up in a wintry display on the fireplace, but my house itself has been a huge representation of my goals for my life in 2016. It has been cleaned and items have been ruthlessly purged, to the point that my husband walked into the house and asked if we were moving, but that’s what I want, that’s what my soul is begging me for; it’s what God is putting on my heart and asking me to do. To live a slow, simple life that doesn’t require a lot of material things to be happy and puts Him at the forefront, not just for me but for my whole family, especially my children who I am working hard to teach about living a life with simple love in their hearts. When I walk into my house now I feel relaxed not anxious about all the chores I have to do. And, I am not done yet, I am challenging myself to consistently work on creating a space that calms me. I realize I’ve been writing on the same topic for a few weeks now but when God speaks so clearly to you about your life it really is all you can think about and focus on - if you are willingly listening to Him. I don’t really know why God is calling me to do this; I just know He is and I’m happy doing it and maybe it’s that simple - happiness. Or maybe He is preparing me for something that is in my future; maybe He is helping me deal with feelings of jealousy or greed by helping me realize what is really important to me or maybe He is just helping me live a life that is more enjoyed and less stressed.
Are you enjoying the slow pace of winter? Are you allowing that slow pace to take hold in your heart this season? What is God telling you?
Are you enjoying the slow pace of winter? Are you allowing that slow pace to take hold in your heart this season? What is God telling you?