1 00:00:34,876 --> 00:00:39,556 Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Sleep Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation 2 00:00:39,676 --> 00:00:42,436 Speaker 1: is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. 3 00:00:42,676 --> 00:00:45,156 Speaker 1: If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you will find 4 00:00:45,236 --> 00:00:48,356 Speaker 1: dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've 5 00:00:48,396 --> 00:00:52,076 Speaker 1: got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head 6 00:00:52,076 --> 00:00:53,916 Speaker 1: over to lifeaudio dot com. 7 00:00:53,956 --> 00:00:54,236 Speaker 2: Now. 8 00:00:54,556 --> 00:00:55,556 Speaker 1: Remember you can. 9 00:00:55,436 --> 00:00:58,596 Speaker 3: Have full access to all our sleep stories commercial free. 10 00:00:58,756 --> 00:01:01,676 Speaker 3: Just text Abide to two two four three three for 11 00:01:01,756 --> 00:01:05,596 Speaker 3: twenty five percent off the app. Now relax your mind 12 00:01:05,876 --> 00:01:09,236 Speaker 3: and body as we hear tonight's sleep story. 13 00:01:12,476 --> 00:01:18,196 Speaker 2: Hello and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm Diane. 14 00:01:19,156 --> 00:01:22,596 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining me for our story, the Winter Song. 15 00:01:24,756 --> 00:01:28,676 Speaker 2: The season of winter brings darker days and cold nights. 16 00:01:29,956 --> 00:01:34,676 Speaker 2: The world has seemingly gone into hibernation. It can feel 17 00:01:34,956 --> 00:01:39,356 Speaker 2: like a season we must endure until the flashier months 18 00:01:39,396 --> 00:01:44,596 Speaker 2: of spring. But winter has the gifts necessary for spring. 19 00:01:45,556 --> 00:01:49,476 Speaker 2: Winter is when the earth slows, and what is beneath 20 00:01:49,516 --> 00:01:55,836 Speaker 2: the surface is cultivated. Hearty vegetation is nurtured warm in 21 00:01:55,916 --> 00:02:02,876 Speaker 2: the deep soil where no one sees. Isaiah chapter forty, 22 00:02:03,596 --> 00:02:07,876 Speaker 2: verse thirty one says, but they who wait for the 23 00:02:07,956 --> 00:02:16,636 Speaker 2: Lord shall renew their strength. In our story, you will 24 00:02:16,676 --> 00:02:21,836 Speaker 2: hear about gifts that winter nurtures, not only in the earth, 25 00:02:22,476 --> 00:02:26,876 Speaker 2: but in each of us, the gift of stillness, as 26 00:02:26,876 --> 00:02:31,316 Speaker 2: we draw inward to listen deeply to what is beneath 27 00:02:31,396 --> 00:02:37,996 Speaker 2: the surface of our hearts, of restoration that God brings 28 00:02:38,036 --> 00:02:44,876 Speaker 2: to the hidden places in us. To begin, we will 29 00:02:44,916 --> 00:02:49,276 Speaker 2: spend some time preparing our bodies for sleep. Then we 30 00:02:49,316 --> 00:02:53,236 Speaker 2: will start off with a short poem called the Winter Song. 31 00:02:54,756 --> 00:02:58,556 Speaker 2: As you nestle in, you will also hear a short 32 00:02:58,676 --> 00:03:05,396 Speaker 2: story called White Grace, a tale of God's faithfulness through 33 00:03:05,476 --> 00:03:13,476 Speaker 2: one woman's especially cold, snowy winter. And finally, you will 34 00:03:13,516 --> 00:03:19,876 Speaker 2: hear winter Whimsy, vignettes written in verse of woodland creatures 35 00:03:20,036 --> 00:03:23,436 Speaker 2: making their way through the winter season and the nuggets 36 00:03:23,436 --> 00:03:31,116 Speaker 2: of truth their stories tell. Winter may seem dreary, but 37 00:03:31,276 --> 00:03:37,436 Speaker 2: it is full of beauty, full of wonder. It yields 38 00:03:37,636 --> 00:03:41,836 Speaker 2: much wisdom if we open our hearts to see all 39 00:03:41,996 --> 00:03:48,756 Speaker 2: God has in store. It's time to let the day go, 40 00:03:49,956 --> 00:03:57,116 Speaker 2: to let your responsibilities, concerns, projects, and to do lists rest. 41 00:03:59,076 --> 00:04:02,516 Speaker 2: You have made it to just this place, at just 42 00:04:03,036 --> 00:04:09,116 Speaker 2: this time, so let's lean into it your space for 43 00:04:09,276 --> 00:04:15,396 Speaker 2: comfort and rest. Take a moment and find a position 44 00:04:15,516 --> 00:04:19,396 Speaker 2: that supports you and allow us the most comfort for 45 00:04:19,516 --> 00:04:28,996 Speaker 2: your body. Take your time, shift and stretch, Curl up 46 00:04:29,116 --> 00:04:35,356 Speaker 2: or lengthen out long. You may want extra pillows to 47 00:04:35,436 --> 00:04:39,836 Speaker 2: support your neck, or place a pillow between or under 48 00:04:39,876 --> 00:04:48,636 Speaker 2: your knees. Once you're comfortable, deeply inhale, filling your lungs 49 00:04:51,676 --> 00:04:56,356 Speaker 2: as you exhale, imagine your body melting into your bed. 50 00:05:00,716 --> 00:05:10,676 Speaker 2: Inhale again, nice and long, filling your lungs this time 51 00:05:10,916 --> 00:05:15,516 Speaker 2: as you exhale, release any tension in your temples or 52 00:05:15,556 --> 00:05:30,436 Speaker 2: between your eyebrows. Inhale deeply and fully exhale any tension 53 00:05:30,476 --> 00:05:42,196 Speaker 2: in your jaw, neck, or shoulders. Again inhale, filling your 54 00:05:42,236 --> 00:05:50,316 Speaker 2: body with fresh air. Exhale, allowing your body to relax 55 00:05:50,396 --> 00:05:59,836 Speaker 2: a little more, releasing every muscle this time. As you 56 00:05:59,956 --> 00:06:08,716 Speaker 2: take your inhale, consider anything that is troubling you work, family, health, 57 00:06:10,676 --> 00:06:17,956 Speaker 2: any stressors that may be blocking your rest. Inhale long 58 00:06:18,076 --> 00:06:33,796 Speaker 2: and deep. Exhale your stressors out one last time together inhale, 59 00:06:34,796 --> 00:06:43,316 Speaker 2: filling yourself with nourishing breath. Exhale away all the tension, 60 00:06:44,076 --> 00:06:55,196 Speaker 2: stressors or burdens you are carrying, and now free of 61 00:06:55,316 --> 00:07:02,156 Speaker 2: any blocks, relax and enjoy the sleep story, the winter song. 62 00:07:06,036 --> 00:07:10,876 Speaker 2: Let me pray for you, Thank you God for my 63 00:07:11,076 --> 00:07:15,796 Speaker 2: friend who is nestled in ready for sleep. Thank You 64 00:07:15,876 --> 00:07:19,916 Speaker 2: for this time of stillness and rest so they can 65 00:07:19,956 --> 00:07:25,596 Speaker 2: be restored and refreshed. May they let go of all 66 00:07:25,676 --> 00:07:30,036 Speaker 2: that the waking hours have held for them. Help my 67 00:07:30,196 --> 00:07:35,916 Speaker 2: friend release any burdens they are carrying direct into your 68 00:07:36,116 --> 00:07:41,876 Speaker 2: open hands. You are so faithful to lighten our load 69 00:07:42,196 --> 00:07:46,756 Speaker 2: with your presence and wisdom. Help them to let it 70 00:07:46,796 --> 00:07:53,356 Speaker 2: all go and rest beneath your covering and safety. As 71 00:07:53,396 --> 00:07:56,236 Speaker 2: they hear about the many gifts you bring in winter, 72 00:07:57,236 --> 00:08:01,076 Speaker 2: I pray they will be comforted by the stillness and 73 00:08:01,276 --> 00:08:06,676 Speaker 2: beauty it brings. May they be encouraged by its whimsy 74 00:08:06,956 --> 00:08:13,476 Speaker 2: and wonder May they dream of winter wonderlands and family connections, 75 00:08:14,356 --> 00:08:21,156 Speaker 2: warm fires, and a sense of contentedness. Thank you for 76 00:08:21,436 --> 00:08:25,276 Speaker 2: the many ways you love us, the gifts you give, 77 00:08:26,756 --> 00:08:33,556 Speaker 2: and your faithfulness to fulfill every promise. Bring your presence 78 00:08:34,196 --> 00:08:43,196 Speaker 2: as my friend nods off into deep, RESTful sleep in Jesus' name, Amen. 79 00:08:47,236 --> 00:08:53,756 Speaker 2: Job Chapter thirty eight, verses twenty nine through thirty says 80 00:08:54,476 --> 00:08:59,596 Speaker 2: from whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to 81 00:08:59,676 --> 00:09:03,956 Speaker 2: the frost from the heavens, when the waters become hard 82 00:09:04,076 --> 00:09:07,636 Speaker 2: as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen. 83 00:09:10,876 --> 00:09:14,956 Speaker 2: One day I asked Winter why she took the sun away, 84 00:09:15,596 --> 00:09:20,996 Speaker 2: Why her lightless days drew forth sorrow and gray. She 85 00:09:21,156 --> 00:09:25,036 Speaker 2: answered with a crisp wind that caused me to shiver. 86 00:09:26,596 --> 00:09:32,116 Speaker 2: She answered with the twinkling of an icicle glimmer. Her 87 00:09:32,196 --> 00:09:38,716 Speaker 2: song was haunting, but I was unafraid. Her song was 88 00:09:38,756 --> 00:09:44,516 Speaker 2: a lullaby and a call to be brave. It is 89 00:09:44,676 --> 00:09:49,836 Speaker 2: time for a gentle hush, she sang, in melodic minor notes, 90 00:09:50,716 --> 00:09:58,316 Speaker 2: sustained on snowflakes. For a moment, I forgot the dismal display. Instead, 91 00:09:58,436 --> 00:10:02,116 Speaker 2: I studied the sparkle of light from the day in 92 00:10:02,236 --> 00:10:09,596 Speaker 2: snowy fields and silhouetted trees. The wild winter air filled 93 00:10:09,636 --> 00:10:16,556 Speaker 2: my lungs as I breathed. Winter sang on in quiet praise, 94 00:10:17,796 --> 00:10:26,236 Speaker 2: inviting soul's deep rest in Winter's womb of grays. Come 95 00:10:26,316 --> 00:10:30,676 Speaker 2: now and rest for this snippet of time. You are 96 00:10:30,756 --> 00:10:37,196 Speaker 2: invited to surrender and to be redefined. With spring comes 97 00:10:37,236 --> 00:10:45,156 Speaker 2: your hopefulness and your rebirth. With winter comes God's faithfulness 98 00:10:45,196 --> 00:10:52,516 Speaker 2: sung throughout the earth stillness. Wintering has a way of 99 00:10:52,556 --> 00:10:57,036 Speaker 2: bringing us home to ourselves. The icy air pushes us 100 00:10:57,556 --> 00:11:04,676 Speaker 2: to the warmth of our home, and everything slows. Baseball games, 101 00:11:06,036 --> 00:11:11,916 Speaker 2: ice lattes on the run, parks and road trips, and 102 00:11:11,956 --> 00:11:17,236 Speaker 2: the buzz of summer. It all pauses in the hush 103 00:11:17,756 --> 00:11:24,516 Speaker 2: of winter. The cold invites us to draw inward, to 104 00:11:24,716 --> 00:11:29,196 Speaker 2: warm ourselves by the fire, and to nestle in with 105 00:11:29,316 --> 00:11:34,476 Speaker 2: our families and ourselves. It is a time to be still, 106 00:11:35,156 --> 00:11:41,956 Speaker 2: and in the stillness, consider what is within. Consider where 107 00:11:41,996 --> 00:11:46,916 Speaker 2: we have been and where we want to go. But 108 00:11:47,156 --> 00:11:52,316 Speaker 2: first we must be still with who we are in 109 00:11:52,436 --> 00:11:58,836 Speaker 2: this moment before the fire, sheltered from the cold, This 110 00:11:59,076 --> 00:12:04,156 Speaker 2: is where God meets us with his grace. Hot chocolate 111 00:12:04,236 --> 00:12:10,876 Speaker 2: and self reflection swirl together, and times of restoration are sweet. 112 00:12:14,156 --> 00:12:25,036 Speaker 2: Psalm chapter twenty three, verse three. He restores my soul. Come, 113 00:12:26,036 --> 00:12:30,636 Speaker 2: come to the quiet. It's warm by the crackling hearth, 114 00:12:31,196 --> 00:12:37,436 Speaker 2: with wisps of fire dancing. The quilt is grace soft. 115 00:12:39,236 --> 00:12:46,156 Speaker 2: Here is your belonging, where you are safe to be known, 116 00:12:46,796 --> 00:12:53,236 Speaker 2: known by you. God has spread his shelter. Don't need 117 00:12:53,316 --> 00:12:58,556 Speaker 2: to run. Welcome your heart to let down its striving 118 00:13:00,156 --> 00:13:06,156 Speaker 2: slip off your shoes and into the grace. Winter brings 119 00:13:07,196 --> 00:13:11,676 Speaker 2: quiet your goings on. Let your inner self have a 120 00:13:11,876 --> 00:13:18,076 Speaker 2: say in your outer world. Come and just be for 121 00:13:18,196 --> 00:13:28,716 Speaker 2: a while. Proverbs chapter twenty five, verse two says, it 122 00:13:28,916 --> 00:13:33,036 Speaker 2: is the glory of God to conceal things, but the 123 00:13:33,076 --> 00:13:41,916 Speaker 2: glory of kings is to search things out. What grows 124 00:13:41,916 --> 00:13:48,396 Speaker 2: in winter. While spring, summer, and autumn boast colorful bounty 125 00:13:48,956 --> 00:13:55,156 Speaker 2: sprouting at every corner of the fields, winter's growth is 126 00:13:55,236 --> 00:14:02,116 Speaker 2: more mysterious. Wrongly, many perceive that winter lands lie fallow, 127 00:14:03,236 --> 00:14:09,116 Speaker 2: But indeed, beneath the earth's blanket grows that which is hardy, 128 00:14:09,916 --> 00:14:18,956 Speaker 2: that which can sustain dropping temperatures. These plants, potatoes, carrots, 129 00:14:19,316 --> 00:14:25,716 Speaker 2: and beads are the roots of nourishment, highly dense, and 130 00:14:25,756 --> 00:14:33,116 Speaker 2: the crown of nutritious vegetation. Because they ripen slowly, they 131 00:14:33,116 --> 00:14:39,236 Speaker 2: do not rush in their coming. They grow protective layers 132 00:14:39,236 --> 00:14:43,716 Speaker 2: in our design to draw in moisture to sustain them 133 00:14:43,796 --> 00:14:49,316 Speaker 2: when the spring and autumn rains have gone. What grows 134 00:14:49,356 --> 00:14:55,236 Speaker 2: in winter and inward strengthening and resolve the type of 135 00:14:55,316 --> 00:15:00,356 Speaker 2: cultivation that happens in the slowness of growth and withstands 136 00:15:00,556 --> 00:15:08,236 Speaker 2: challenge even harshness. Winter seasons come in our own hearts 137 00:15:08,396 --> 00:15:14,796 Speaker 2: as well, seasons where flourishing seems hidden, and light has 138 00:15:14,876 --> 00:15:20,196 Speaker 2: taken a sabbatical, where all seems desolate and left to 139 00:15:20,236 --> 00:15:27,396 Speaker 2: the elements. Winter is where spring is made. Winter is 140 00:15:27,476 --> 00:15:32,276 Speaker 2: where we are made. The slow forming of our honest 141 00:15:32,436 --> 00:15:37,876 Speaker 2: heart is gathering nourishing to yield a hardy bounty that 142 00:15:38,036 --> 00:15:43,356 Speaker 2: can sustain us through frigid days. What grows in winter, 143 00:15:44,476 --> 00:15:50,316 Speaker 2: your tested heart, your hard fought wisdom, the authority that 144 00:15:50,516 --> 00:15:56,436 Speaker 2: comes with having overcome. They grow in the soil of patience, 145 00:15:57,196 --> 00:16:03,476 Speaker 2: and they sustain life like a hardy root, vegetable stew. 146 00:16:04,396 --> 00:16:10,076 Speaker 2: Isaiah chapter forty, verse thirty one says, but they who 147 00:16:10,236 --> 00:16:20,076 Speaker 2: wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. Now nestle 148 00:16:20,116 --> 00:16:25,116 Speaker 2: in and listen to this winter tale called white Grace. 149 00:16:27,876 --> 00:16:32,756 Speaker 2: One evening, Miriam walked along a snowy street, lost in 150 00:16:32,836 --> 00:16:37,716 Speaker 2: her own jumbled prayers. This winter had been the longest 151 00:16:37,756 --> 00:16:43,396 Speaker 2: of her life. Daily she pleaded for her family to 152 00:16:43,516 --> 00:16:50,676 Speaker 2: be knit together again. Daily the cold grew colder and 153 00:16:50,836 --> 00:16:57,076 Speaker 2: her husband more distant. Would this life ever be right 154 00:16:57,276 --> 00:17:03,356 Speaker 2: side up again? Everything she had held dear was slipping 155 00:17:03,396 --> 00:17:09,636 Speaker 2: through her fingers, where are you God? I am giving 156 00:17:09,876 --> 00:17:13,796 Speaker 2: everything I know to give. Tell me what to pray, 157 00:17:14,556 --> 00:17:18,676 Speaker 2: and I'll pray it. Show me what to do, and 158 00:17:18,796 --> 00:17:24,156 Speaker 2: I will do it with everything in me. There's no 159 00:17:24,316 --> 00:17:31,796 Speaker 2: pride here, only a plea for my family. As Miriam's 160 00:17:31,836 --> 00:17:36,236 Speaker 2: boots crunched in the snow, she frantically hurled her prayers 161 00:17:36,276 --> 00:17:42,356 Speaker 2: toward the sky. Warm tears streamed down her cheeks in 162 00:17:42,476 --> 00:17:45,796 Speaker 2: contrast to the chilly air that blew across her skin. 163 00:17:47,076 --> 00:17:51,796 Speaker 2: Frustrated to be crying again today, she was wiping away 164 00:17:51,836 --> 00:17:57,796 Speaker 2: the unwelcome tears when she felt the presence swooping toward 165 00:17:57,916 --> 00:18:02,036 Speaker 2: her from the sky. She lifted her eyes to witness 166 00:18:02,316 --> 00:18:08,236 Speaker 2: the wingspread of a spotted barn owl overhead. It was 167 00:18:08,316 --> 00:18:12,116 Speaker 2: making its way toward an old tree on the far 168 00:18:12,316 --> 00:18:16,396 Speaker 2: side of the street. It had been so close to her. 169 00:18:18,156 --> 00:18:26,316 Speaker 2: Miriam was startled and in awe Then, as though she 170 00:18:26,356 --> 00:18:30,916 Speaker 2: had just been woken from a deep sleep, she began 171 00:18:31,036 --> 00:18:35,556 Speaker 2: to scan the beauty all around her. Had the snow 172 00:18:35,636 --> 00:18:42,836 Speaker 2: globe seene just appeared? Everything was blanketed in snowy white, 173 00:18:43,076 --> 00:18:47,916 Speaker 2: as smooth as satin. The only footprints were her own, 174 00:18:48,556 --> 00:18:52,676 Speaker 2: and she stood beneath the street lamp as though it 175 00:18:52,756 --> 00:18:58,876 Speaker 2: were a warm spotlight. In total pause, she took it in. 176 00:19:02,876 --> 00:19:07,036 Speaker 2: The desperate prayers melted like the snow beneath her footprints. 177 00:19:08,236 --> 00:19:12,116 Speaker 2: I almost missed it, God, I almost missed it all. 178 00:19:14,396 --> 00:19:19,596 Speaker 2: Turning slowly, she wanted to take in the full panoramic view. 179 00:19:21,676 --> 00:19:26,716 Speaker 2: Icicles hung from corners of snow covered homes. The large, 180 00:19:26,876 --> 00:19:31,916 Speaker 2: bare trees had traded their flourish of green leaves for 181 00:19:31,996 --> 00:19:38,476 Speaker 2: a coat of winter. Every branch was covered in the 182 00:19:38,516 --> 00:19:45,996 Speaker 2: glisten of the day's precipitation. Letting her gaze wander, Miriam 183 00:19:46,196 --> 00:19:49,876 Speaker 2: searched the sky for the moon. She wanted to take 184 00:19:49,956 --> 00:19:54,876 Speaker 2: in every beautiful view. She didn't want to miss a thing. 185 00:19:56,316 --> 00:20:01,436 Speaker 2: She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled the 186 00:20:01,596 --> 00:20:09,436 Speaker 2: fresh coolness of the air. As she sighed, she could 187 00:20:09,476 --> 00:20:14,276 Speaker 2: almost hear the echo of her breath. The world was 188 00:20:14,316 --> 00:20:21,236 Speaker 2: at peace, covered in white grace. This gift of stillness 189 00:20:21,916 --> 00:20:26,756 Speaker 2: resonated all the way through Miriam, and gratitude welled up. 190 00:20:26,796 --> 00:20:35,876 Speaker 2: In response. The warm tears began again. She remembered Proverbs 191 00:20:36,116 --> 00:20:42,076 Speaker 2: chapter four, verse five, which says, the Lord is near, 192 00:20:43,316 --> 00:20:48,956 Speaker 2: do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation 193 00:20:49,916 --> 00:20:57,636 Speaker 2: by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, 194 00:20:58,716 --> 00:21:05,276 Speaker 2: and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will 195 00:21:05,436 --> 00:21:14,596 Speaker 2: guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Then 196 00:21:15,396 --> 00:21:20,516 Speaker 2: Miriam began to pray, even in the chaos and confusion. 197 00:21:21,316 --> 00:21:26,036 Speaker 2: You sustain me with your presence, with your beauty. You 198 00:21:26,236 --> 00:21:30,436 Speaker 2: cause the snow to fall, and bring peace that is 199 00:21:30,516 --> 00:21:38,516 Speaker 2: beyond my comprehension, This advansive peace that steadies the shaking 200 00:21:38,596 --> 00:21:42,876 Speaker 2: inside of me. You even send your winged messenger to 201 00:21:42,956 --> 00:21:50,916 Speaker 2: wake me up so I don't miss it. Tiny snowflakes 202 00:21:50,956 --> 00:21:56,196 Speaker 2: began falling again. Miriam let out a giggle as she 203 00:21:56,316 --> 00:22:02,396 Speaker 2: felt the drops of white fall onto her eyelashes. At first, 204 00:22:02,436 --> 00:22:06,516 Speaker 2: it was a light drizzle of lazy snowflakes carried on 205 00:22:06,636 --> 00:22:11,836 Speaker 2: the swirl of the breeze, but within minutes the easily 206 00:22:11,956 --> 00:22:18,196 Speaker 2: blown about, wispy flakes began a cascade of larger snowflakes, 207 00:22:18,276 --> 00:22:22,516 Speaker 2: filling the sky and covering the earth with another layer 208 00:22:22,716 --> 00:22:28,476 Speaker 2: of white grace. All she could do was spread her 209 00:22:28,636 --> 00:22:35,276 Speaker 2: arms wide like the messenger owls outstretched wingspan. She smiled, 210 00:22:35,516 --> 00:22:41,596 Speaker 2: ingratitude to be in this moment. She didn't even feel cold, 211 00:22:42,996 --> 00:22:52,636 Speaker 2: just filled and hole and wholly at peace. A year later, 212 00:22:53,076 --> 00:22:57,236 Speaker 2: Miriam found herself walking down another snowy street on a 213 00:22:57,316 --> 00:23:02,076 Speaker 2: crisp winter night, a few blocks from her new home, 214 00:23:02,676 --> 00:23:07,036 Speaker 2: with her children beside her. A snowball fight had begun, 215 00:23:07,716 --> 00:23:13,596 Speaker 2: and their laughter filled the otherwise quiet neighborhood, slipping and 216 00:23:13,636 --> 00:23:18,436 Speaker 2: sliding and trapesing through the white canvas of snow. Miriam 217 00:23:18,516 --> 00:23:24,956 Speaker 2: thought she hadn't left so hard in a while. Last winter, 218 00:23:25,556 --> 00:23:29,316 Speaker 2: God had put things right, though not as Miriam expected. 219 00:23:30,636 --> 00:23:35,196 Speaker 2: From that winter night to this one, God's grace had 220 00:23:35,236 --> 00:23:41,236 Speaker 2: sustained her, had held her. She let her thoughts return 221 00:23:41,396 --> 00:23:46,716 Speaker 2: till last winter and the angelic owl that roused her 222 00:23:46,916 --> 00:23:51,876 Speaker 2: from her pleas to God, God had answered with a 223 00:23:51,956 --> 00:23:57,596 Speaker 2: display of wonder Like a newlywed. Her heart was arrested, 224 00:23:58,436 --> 00:24:01,276 Speaker 2: and she was swept away with the beauty of it all. 225 00:24:03,596 --> 00:24:08,476 Speaker 2: As Miriam remembered, she thanked God that she had stopped 226 00:24:08,556 --> 00:24:11,596 Speaker 2: to take in the glory that was right in front 227 00:24:11,596 --> 00:24:17,556 Speaker 2: of her. She had almost missed it. This sparked an idea. 228 00:24:18,076 --> 00:24:20,876 Speaker 2: She called her kids to join her under a street 229 00:24:20,916 --> 00:24:25,916 Speaker 2: light on the corner. They begrudgingly made their way to her. 230 00:24:26,876 --> 00:24:30,556 Speaker 2: They weren't done demolishing each other with their snowball weapons. 231 00:24:32,636 --> 00:24:40,076 Speaker 2: Take my hands, she erected them. They did. Now close 232 00:24:40,116 --> 00:24:45,036 Speaker 2: your eyes and lift your faces toward the sky again. 233 00:24:45,236 --> 00:24:50,076 Speaker 2: They obeyed. One of the kids started to speak, but 234 00:24:50,236 --> 00:24:55,996 Speaker 2: she gently hushed them. There they stood beneath the streetlight, 235 00:24:57,076 --> 00:25:02,156 Speaker 2: holding hands in a circle, faces lifted to the sky, 236 00:25:03,476 --> 00:25:09,356 Speaker 2: each one a smile across their lips. Miriam wanted to 237 00:25:09,436 --> 00:25:14,036 Speaker 2: teach them to be still and take in the wonder 238 00:25:14,636 --> 00:25:20,156 Speaker 2: as she had done that winter passed. She finally spoke, 239 00:25:21,596 --> 00:25:28,676 Speaker 2: do you hear it? Hear what? They responded? The peace 240 00:25:29,156 --> 00:25:33,756 Speaker 2: in the air and resting on us? Do you hear it? 241 00:25:37,156 --> 00:25:44,436 Speaker 2: Psalm chapter forty six, verse ten says be still and 242 00:25:44,676 --> 00:25:52,836 Speaker 2: know that I am God. Psalm Chapter one hundred forty seven, 243 00:25:53,716 --> 00:25:59,636 Speaker 2: verse sixteen says He spreads the snow like wool and 244 00:25:59,836 --> 00:26:07,596 Speaker 2: scatters the frost like ashes. Joe chapter thirty seven, verses 245 00:26:07,756 --> 00:26:13,636 Speaker 2: nine through ten says the tempest comes out from its chamber, 246 00:26:14,596 --> 00:26:19,156 Speaker 2: the cold from the driving winds, The breath of God 247 00:26:19,396 --> 00:26:31,316 Speaker 2: produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. Winter whimsy, 248 00:26:32,276 --> 00:26:35,036 Speaker 2: a bunny at the edge of the field decides to 249 00:26:35,076 --> 00:26:40,156 Speaker 2: make a run for it, or rather a hop for it. Quickly, 250 00:26:40,196 --> 00:26:43,876 Speaker 2: shooting his gaze from one side to the other, he 251 00:26:43,996 --> 00:26:48,996 Speaker 2: darts across the field. The winter is slowly settling in, 252 00:26:49,956 --> 00:26:53,876 Speaker 2: and the snow has only teased with the occasional flurry. 253 00:26:55,436 --> 00:26:59,356 Speaker 2: Little bunny has spotted the last of the abandoned vegetables 254 00:26:59,396 --> 00:27:04,956 Speaker 2: at the corners of the garden. Determined and lightning fast, 255 00:27:06,076 --> 00:27:09,556 Speaker 2: only the fluff of his tail can be seen in 256 00:27:09,636 --> 00:27:15,756 Speaker 2: his pursuit. Arriving safely at the sleeping garden, he snatches 257 00:27:15,796 --> 00:27:20,796 Speaker 2: a root vegetable only half excavated. With the prize of 258 00:27:20,836 --> 00:27:24,316 Speaker 2: his heist, he turns to make his return. With the 259 00:27:24,516 --> 00:27:30,076 Speaker 2: glimmer of his warm burrow fixed in his eyes, he 260 00:27:30,196 --> 00:27:35,756 Speaker 2: jumps into action, sprint hopping a bit us with his 261 00:27:35,916 --> 00:27:43,716 Speaker 2: bounty midfield. He hears it the woosh of a hawk's 262 00:27:43,756 --> 00:27:50,596 Speaker 2: wings breezing across his back. He tucks his cottontail and 263 00:27:50,756 --> 00:27:57,396 Speaker 2: doubles his speed, narrowly escaping the hawk's second pass. The 264 00:27:57,436 --> 00:28:02,836 Speaker 2: little field bunny dives into his burrow, but is stopped 265 00:28:03,076 --> 00:28:08,836 Speaker 2: by his prized red beaked root vegetable. Making a quick adjustment, 266 00:28:09,236 --> 00:28:13,116 Speaker 2: he backs into the hole, dragging his bounty from behind. 267 00:28:14,636 --> 00:28:18,636 Speaker 2: He hears the shuffling of his tiny bunny family, and 268 00:28:18,676 --> 00:28:23,796 Speaker 2: the inquisitive sniffing of Mama. All are pleased to have 269 00:28:23,876 --> 00:28:31,716 Speaker 2: a little extra to hold them through the cold winter days. Proverbs, 270 00:28:31,796 --> 00:28:38,116 Speaker 2: chapter thirty one, verse twenty one. When it snows, she 271 00:28:38,276 --> 00:28:42,476 Speaker 2: has no fear for her household, for all of them 272 00:28:42,636 --> 00:28:50,196 Speaker 2: are clothed in scarlet. A little speckled deer lies in 273 00:28:50,236 --> 00:28:54,236 Speaker 2: the forest with a shiver. The other deer wander and 274 00:28:54,436 --> 00:28:58,156 Speaker 2: graze for what can be found along the cold winter ground. 275 00:28:59,796 --> 00:29:05,716 Speaker 2: Still she lies, and she watches. She makes no effort 276 00:29:05,836 --> 00:29:11,116 Speaker 2: to stand, makes no effort to feed herself as they do. 277 00:29:14,356 --> 00:29:18,316 Speaker 2: The day moves on until the hunter's moon begins to rise. 278 00:29:19,396 --> 00:29:25,556 Speaker 2: Still she lies, legs tucked beneath her. The other deer 279 00:29:25,716 --> 00:29:30,556 Speaker 2: wander off and find their shelter for the night. A 280 00:29:30,596 --> 00:29:36,116 Speaker 2: single young buck returns to the little speckled deer. He 281 00:29:36,236 --> 00:29:41,476 Speaker 2: nezzles her ear, sniffs her leg, and slowly circles around 282 00:29:41,516 --> 00:29:48,756 Speaker 2: his friend. Another deer joins, sniffing at her face, stretching 283 00:29:48,796 --> 00:29:56,316 Speaker 2: his leg toward her leg. Still she stays, still, She 284 00:29:56,476 --> 00:30:01,276 Speaker 2: makes no effort to move. The first young buck stomps 285 00:30:01,276 --> 00:30:06,036 Speaker 2: his little hoof toward the speckled deer's hind, legs. He 286 00:30:06,076 --> 00:30:09,956 Speaker 2: does not harm her frame, but he does startle her 287 00:30:10,396 --> 00:30:14,836 Speaker 2: all the same. It seems it's what she needed, because 288 00:30:14,876 --> 00:30:22,116 Speaker 2: she finally wobble rises to an awkward standing position. Now 289 00:30:22,156 --> 00:30:27,476 Speaker 2: they can see her leg is injured, but they neztle her. Nonetheless, 290 00:30:28,356 --> 00:30:31,396 Speaker 2: they know she cannot stay in the open on this 291 00:30:31,636 --> 00:30:36,316 Speaker 2: cold night. They know she must sh alter safe with 292 00:30:36,436 --> 00:30:40,156 Speaker 2: the rest. So one waits ahead for her while the 293 00:30:40,236 --> 00:30:44,556 Speaker 2: other pokes at her from behind, and she attempts a 294 00:30:44,556 --> 00:30:49,956 Speaker 2: step or two. It seems to loosen her tension, and 295 00:30:50,036 --> 00:30:56,316 Speaker 2: she walks with more intention. Before long she has disappeared 296 00:30:56,836 --> 00:31:00,316 Speaker 2: behind the line of the trees, with her two faithful 297 00:31:00,356 --> 00:31:07,956 Speaker 2: friends watching out for her. Hebrews Chapter ten, verse twenty 298 00:31:07,996 --> 00:31:12,196 Speaker 2: four says, and let us watch out for one another 299 00:31:12,996 --> 00:31:19,916 Speaker 2: to provoke love and good works. Winter has spread her 300 00:31:19,956 --> 00:31:23,956 Speaker 2: holy white garments, and the forest is covered in the 301 00:31:24,036 --> 00:31:29,516 Speaker 2: quiet of snowfall. A pair of foxes, frisky with play, 302 00:31:30,236 --> 00:31:35,676 Speaker 2: tussled beneath the trees. From the tree canopy, all that 303 00:31:35,716 --> 00:31:41,036 Speaker 2: can be seen is a flash of fluffy, red orange tails, 304 00:31:41,076 --> 00:31:46,156 Speaker 2: flipping and swirling around each other. Their little chirping sounds 305 00:31:46,516 --> 00:31:51,156 Speaker 2: sound like a chortle. They are lost in the instinct 306 00:31:51,236 --> 00:31:56,076 Speaker 2: of play. They roll and wrestle and accumulate a layer 307 00:31:56,156 --> 00:32:00,716 Speaker 2: of snow on the outer layers of their coats. These 308 00:32:00,796 --> 00:32:06,116 Speaker 2: two whimsical creatures don't notice the dampness or gold. They 309 00:32:06,276 --> 00:32:11,156 Speaker 2: just scuttle on a game of hide and seek mixed 310 00:32:11,196 --> 00:32:15,996 Speaker 2: with horseplay or fox play, around the trunk of trees, 311 00:32:16,676 --> 00:32:21,036 Speaker 2: down the hill and through the hollow rainery little foxes 312 00:32:21,236 --> 00:32:26,036 Speaker 2: without a care to be had until they tire themselves out. 313 00:32:27,356 --> 00:32:31,316 Speaker 2: When the sun has dropped low, Then they will know 314 00:32:32,316 --> 00:32:35,916 Speaker 2: it is time for rest, for when the moon has 315 00:32:36,036 --> 00:32:40,516 Speaker 2: risen to its highest, they will begin the chase all 316 00:32:40,556 --> 00:32:45,876 Speaker 2: over again. So they climb into their hollow, a place 317 00:32:46,116 --> 00:32:50,916 Speaker 2: all their own. They tangle themselves, red tails and fluff, 318 00:32:51,756 --> 00:32:56,596 Speaker 2: long ears and soft paws. Who's to know where one 319 00:32:56,876 --> 00:33:02,956 Speaker 2: ends and the other begins. Nestled in tight, tucked in 320 00:33:03,356 --> 00:33:09,196 Speaker 2: and snuggily, their breaths start to slow, and the warmth 321 00:33:09,236 --> 00:33:13,356 Speaker 2: of each other lulls the two fox companions to deep, 322 00:33:14,036 --> 00:33:22,556 Speaker 2: deep sleep. Let me close our story with one last 323 00:33:22,756 --> 00:33:34,596 Speaker 2: scripture Ecclesiastes, chapter four, verse eleven. Again, if two lie together, 324 00:33:35,836 --> 00:33:45,196 Speaker 2: then they have warm, But how can one be warm alone? 325 00:33:45,436 --> 00:33:51,116 Speaker 2: I will pray for you one more time. Lord, You 326 00:33:51,156 --> 00:33:55,796 Speaker 2: are the god of every season, and we marvel at 327 00:33:55,836 --> 00:34:01,636 Speaker 2: the beauty and variety you gift us with. Thank You 328 00:34:02,516 --> 00:34:07,676 Speaker 2: for the stillness winter brings. Thank You for the hush 329 00:34:07,836 --> 00:34:15,876 Speaker 2: of a snowy winter scene. Your presence is undeniable when 330 00:34:15,916 --> 00:34:23,476 Speaker 2: we gaze across snow covered hills, streets, and homes. Thank 331 00:34:23,556 --> 00:34:26,836 Speaker 2: You for a season that allows us to slow down, 332 00:34:28,156 --> 00:34:32,916 Speaker 2: get cozy, and look more deeply at our loved ones 333 00:34:33,996 --> 00:34:39,196 Speaker 2: and our self. Else We love the work of your 334 00:34:39,236 --> 00:34:50,236 Speaker 2: hands so much. Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen, thank 335 00:34:50,276 --> 00:34:54,796 Speaker 2: you for joining me for the winter Song. I hope 336 00:34:54,796 --> 00:35:00,556 Speaker 2: you enjoyed the stories, poems and insights as the seasons 337 00:35:00,636 --> 00:35:05,156 Speaker 2: unfold on the earth and in your life. May you 338 00:35:05,596 --> 00:35:39,276 Speaker 2: always see the gifts God has for you.