WEBVTT - The Winter Song

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to Abides Sleep Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation

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<v Speaker 1>is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio.

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<v Speaker 3>and body as we hear tonight's sleep story.

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<v Speaker 2>Hello and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm Diane.

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<v Speaker 2>Thanks for joining me for our story, the Winter Song.

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<v Speaker 2>The season of winter brings darker days and cold nights.

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<v Speaker 2>The world has seemingly gone into hibernation. It can feel

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<v Speaker 2>like a season we must endure until the flashier months

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<v Speaker 2>of spring. But winter has the gifts necessary for spring.

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<v Speaker 2>Winter is when the earth slows, and what is beneath

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<v Speaker 2>the surface is cultivated. Hearty vegetation is nurtured warm in

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<v Speaker 2>the deep soil where no one sees. Isaiah chapter forty,

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<v Speaker 2>verse thirty one says, but they who wait for the

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<v Speaker 2>Lord shall renew their strength. In our story, you will

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<v Speaker 2>hear about gifts that winter nurtures, not only in the earth,

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<v Speaker 2>but in each of us, the gift of stillness, as

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<v Speaker 2>we draw inward to listen deeply to what is beneath

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<v Speaker 2>the surface of our hearts, of restoration that God brings

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<v Speaker 2>to the hidden places in us. To begin, we will

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<v Speaker 2>spend some time preparing our bodies for sleep. Then we

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<v Speaker 2>will start off with a short poem called the Winter Song.

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<v Speaker 2>As you nestle in, you will also hear a short

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<v Speaker 2>story called White Grace, a tale of God's faithfulness through

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<v Speaker 2>one woman's especially cold, snowy winter. And finally, you will

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<v Speaker 2>hear winter Whimsy, vignettes written in verse of woodland creatures

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<v Speaker 2>making their way through the winter season and the nuggets

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<v Speaker 2>of truth their stories tell. Winter may seem dreary, but

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<v Speaker 2>it is full of beauty, full of wonder. It yields

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<v Speaker 2>much wisdom if we open our hearts to see all

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<v Speaker 2>God has in store. It's time to let the day go,

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<v Speaker 2>to let your responsibilities, concerns, projects, and to do lists rest.

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<v Speaker 2>You have made it to just this place, at just

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<v Speaker 2>this time, so let's lean into it your space for

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<v Speaker 2>comfort and rest. Take a moment and find a position

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<v Speaker 2>that supports you and allow us the most comfort for

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<v Speaker 2>your body. Take your time, shift and stretch, Curl up

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<v Speaker 2>or lengthen out long. You may want extra pillows to

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<v Speaker 2>support your neck, or place a pillow between or under

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<v Speaker 2>your knees. Once you're comfortable, deeply inhale, filling your lungs

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<v Speaker 2>as you exhale, imagine your body melting into your bed.

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<v Speaker 2>Inhale again, nice and long, filling your lungs this time

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<v Speaker 2>as you exhale, release any tension in your temples or

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<v Speaker 2>between your eyebrows. Inhale deeply and fully exhale any tension

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<v Speaker 2>in your jaw, neck, or shoulders. Again inhale, filling your

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<v Speaker 2>body with fresh air. Exhale, allowing your body to relax

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<v Speaker 2>a little more, releasing every muscle this time. As you

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<v Speaker 2>take your inhale, consider anything that is troubling you work, family, health,

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<v Speaker 2>any stressors that may be blocking your rest. Inhale long

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<v Speaker 2>and deep. Exhale your stressors out one last time together inhale,

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<v Speaker 2>filling yourself with nourishing breath. Exhale away all the tension,

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<v Speaker 2>stressors or burdens you are carrying, and now free of

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<v Speaker 2>any blocks, relax and enjoy the sleep story, the winter song.

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<v Speaker 2>Let me pray for you, Thank you God for my

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<v Speaker 2>friend who is nestled in ready for sleep. Thank You

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<v Speaker 2>for this time of stillness and rest so they can

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<v Speaker 2>be restored and refreshed. May they let go of all

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<v Speaker 2>that the waking hours have held for them. Help my

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<v Speaker 2>friend release any burdens they are carrying direct into your

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<v Speaker 2>open hands. You are so faithful to lighten our load

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<v Speaker 2>with your presence and wisdom. Help them to let it

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<v Speaker 2>all go and rest beneath your covering and safety. As

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<v Speaker 2>they hear about the many gifts you bring in winter,

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<v Speaker 2>I pray they will be comforted by the stillness and

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<v Speaker 2>beauty it brings. May they be encouraged by its whimsy

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<v Speaker 2>and wonder May they dream of winter wonderlands and family connections,

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<v Speaker 2>warm fires, and a sense of contentedness. Thank you for

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<v Speaker 2>the many ways you love us, the gifts you give,

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<v Speaker 2>and your faithfulness to fulfill every promise. Bring your presence

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<v Speaker 2>as my friend nods off into deep, RESTful sleep in Jesus' name, Amen.

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<v Speaker 2>Job Chapter thirty eight, verses twenty nine through thirty says

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<v Speaker 2>from whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to

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<v Speaker 2>the frost from the heavens, when the waters become hard

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<v Speaker 2>as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen.

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<v Speaker 2>One day I asked Winter why she took the sun away,

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<v Speaker 2>Why her lightless days drew forth sorrow and gray. She

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<v Speaker 2>answered with a crisp wind that caused me to shiver.

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<v Speaker 2>She answered with the twinkling of an icicle glimmer. Her

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<v Speaker 2>song was haunting, but I was unafraid. Her song was

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<v Speaker 2>a lullaby and a call to be brave. It is

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<v Speaker 2>time for a gentle hush, she sang, in melodic minor notes,

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<v Speaker 2>sustained on snowflakes. For a moment, I forgot the dismal display. Instead,

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<v Speaker 2>I studied the sparkle of light from the day in

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<v Speaker 2>snowy fields and silhouetted trees. The wild winter air filled

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<v Speaker 2>my lungs as I breathed. Winter sang on in quiet praise,

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<v Speaker 2>inviting soul's deep rest in Winter's womb of grays. Come

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<v Speaker 2>now and rest for this snippet of time. You are

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<v Speaker 2>invited to surrender and to be redefined. With spring comes

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<v Speaker 2>your hopefulness and your rebirth. With winter comes God's faithfulness

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<v Speaker 2>sung throughout the earth stillness. Wintering has a way of

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<v Speaker 2>bringing us home to ourselves. The icy air pushes us

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<v Speaker 2>to the warmth of our home, and everything slows. Baseball games,

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<v Speaker 2>ice lattes on the run, parks and road trips, and

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<v Speaker 2>the buzz of summer. It all pauses in the hush

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<v Speaker 2>of winter. The cold invites us to draw inward, to

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<v Speaker 2>warm ourselves by the fire, and to nestle in with

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<v Speaker 2>our families and ourselves. It is a time to be still,

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<v Speaker 2>and in the stillness, consider what is within. Consider where

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<v Speaker 2>we have been and where we want to go. But

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<v Speaker 2>first we must be still with who we are in

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<v Speaker 2>this moment before the fire, sheltered from the cold, This

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<v Speaker 2>is where God meets us with his grace. Hot chocolate

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<v Speaker 2>and self reflection swirl together, and times of restoration are sweet.

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<v Speaker 2>Psalm chapter twenty three, verse three. He restores my soul. Come,

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<v Speaker 2>come to the quiet. It's warm by the crackling hearth,

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<v Speaker 2>with wisps of fire dancing. The quilt is grace soft.

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<v Speaker 2>Here is your belonging, where you are safe to be known,

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<v Speaker 2>known by you. God has spread his shelter. Don't need

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<v Speaker 2>to run. Welcome your heart to let down its striving

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<v Speaker 2>slip off your shoes and into the grace. Winter brings

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<v Speaker 2>quiet your goings on. Let your inner self have a

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<v Speaker 2>say in your outer world. Come and just be for

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<v Speaker 2>a while. Proverbs chapter twenty five, verse two says, it

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<v Speaker 2>is the glory of God to conceal things, but the

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<v Speaker 2>glory of kings is to search things out. What grows

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<v Speaker 2>in winter. While spring, summer, and autumn boast colorful bounty

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<v Speaker 2>sprouting at every corner of the fields, winter's growth is

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<v Speaker 2>more mysterious. Wrongly, many perceive that winter lands lie fallow,

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<v Speaker 2>But indeed, beneath the earth's blanket grows that which is hardy,

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<v Speaker 2>that which can sustain dropping temperatures. These plants, potatoes, carrots,

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<v Speaker 2>and beads are the roots of nourishment, highly dense, and

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<v Speaker 2>the crown of nutritious vegetation. Because they ripen slowly, they

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<v Speaker 2>do not rush in their coming. They grow protective layers

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<v Speaker 2>in our design to draw in moisture to sustain them

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<v Speaker 2>when the spring and autumn rains have gone. What grows

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<v Speaker 2>in winter and inward strengthening and resolve the type of

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<v Speaker 2>cultivation that happens in the slowness of growth and withstands

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<v Speaker 2>challenge even harshness. Winter seasons come in our own hearts

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<v Speaker 2>as well, seasons where flourishing seems hidden, and light has

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<v Speaker 2>taken a sabbatical, where all seems desolate and left to

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<v Speaker 2>the elements. Winter is where spring is made. Winter is

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<v Speaker 2>where we are made. The slow forming of our honest

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<v Speaker 2>heart is gathering nourishing to yield a hardy bounty that

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<v Speaker 2>can sustain us through frigid days. What grows in winter,

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<v Speaker 2>your tested heart, your hard fought wisdom, the authority that

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<v Speaker 2>comes with having overcome. They grow in the soil of patience,

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<v Speaker 2>and they sustain life like a hardy root, vegetable stew.

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<v Speaker 2>Isaiah chapter forty, verse thirty one says, but they who

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<v Speaker 2>wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. Now nestle

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<v Speaker 2>in and listen to this winter tale called white Grace.

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<v Speaker 2>One evening, Miriam walked along a snowy street, lost in

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<v Speaker 2>her own jumbled prayers. This winter had been the longest

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<v Speaker 2>of her life. Daily she pleaded for her family to

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<v Speaker 2>be knit together again. Daily the cold grew colder and

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<v Speaker 2>her husband more distant. Would this life ever be right

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<v Speaker 2>side up again? Everything she had held dear was slipping

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<v Speaker 2>through her fingers, where are you God? I am giving

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<v Speaker 2>everything I know to give. Tell me what to pray,

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<v Speaker 2>and I'll pray it. Show me what to do, and

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<v Speaker 2>I will do it with everything in me. There's no

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<v Speaker 2>pride here, only a plea for my family. As Miriam's

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<v Speaker 2>boots crunched in the snow, she frantically hurled her prayers

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<v Speaker 2>toward the sky. Warm tears streamed down her cheeks in

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<v Speaker 2>contrast to the chilly air that blew across her skin.

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<v Speaker 2>Frustrated to be crying again today, she was wiping away

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<v Speaker 2>the unwelcome tears when she felt the presence swooping toward

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<v Speaker 2>her from the sky. She lifted her eyes to witness

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<v Speaker 2>the wingspread of a spotted barn owl overhead. It was

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<v Speaker 2>making its way toward an old tree on the far

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<v Speaker 2>side of the street. It had been so close to her.

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<v Speaker 2>Miriam was startled and in awe Then, as though she

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<v Speaker 2>had just been woken from a deep sleep, she began

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<v Speaker 2>to scan the beauty all around her. Had the snow

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<v Speaker 2>globe seene just appeared? Everything was blanketed in snowy white,

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<v Speaker 2>as smooth as satin. The only footprints were her own,

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<v Speaker 2>and she stood beneath the street lamp as though it

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<v Speaker 2>were a warm spotlight. In total pause, she took it in.

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<v Speaker 2>The desperate prayers melted like the snow beneath her footprints.

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<v Speaker 2>I almost missed it, God, I almost missed it all.

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<v Speaker 2>Turning slowly, she wanted to take in the full panoramic view.

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<v Speaker 2>Icicles hung from corners of snow covered homes. The large,

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<v Speaker 2>bare trees had traded their flourish of green leaves for

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<v Speaker 2>a coat of winter. Every branch was covered in the

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<v Speaker 2>glisten of the day's precipitation. Letting her gaze wander, Miriam

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<v Speaker 2>searched the sky for the moon. She wanted to take

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<v Speaker 2>in every beautiful view. She didn't want to miss a thing.

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<v Speaker 2>She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled the

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<v Speaker 2>fresh coolness of the air. As she sighed, she could

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<v Speaker 2>almost hear the echo of her breath. The world was

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<v Speaker 2>at peace, covered in white grace. This gift of stillness

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<v Speaker 2>resonated all the way through Miriam, and gratitude welled up.

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<v Speaker 2>In response. The warm tears began again. She remembered Proverbs

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<v Speaker 2>chapter four, verse five, which says, the Lord is near,

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<v Speaker 2>do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation

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<v Speaker 2>by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God,

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<v Speaker 2>and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will

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<v Speaker 2>guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Then

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<v Speaker 2>Miriam began to pray, even in the chaos and confusion.

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<v Speaker 2>You sustain me with your presence, with your beauty. You

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<v Speaker 2>cause the snow to fall, and bring peace that is

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<v Speaker 2>beyond my comprehension, This advansive peace that steadies the shaking

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<v Speaker 2>inside of me. You even send your winged messenger to

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<v Speaker 2>wake me up so I don't miss it. Tiny snowflakes

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<v Speaker 2>began falling again. Miriam let out a giggle as she

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<v Speaker 2>felt the drops of white fall onto her eyelashes. At first,

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<v Speaker 2>it was a light drizzle of lazy snowflakes carried on

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<v Speaker 2>the swirl of the breeze, but within minutes the easily

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<v Speaker 2>blown about, wispy flakes began a cascade of larger snowflakes,

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<v Speaker 2>filling the sky and covering the earth with another layer

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<v Speaker 2>of white grace. All she could do was spread her

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<v Speaker 2>arms wide like the messenger owls outstretched wingspan. She smiled,

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<v Speaker 2>ingratitude to be in this moment. She didn't even feel cold,

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<v Speaker 2>just filled and hole and wholly at peace. A year later,

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<v Speaker 2>Miriam found herself walking down another snowy street on a

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<v Speaker 2>crisp winter night, a few blocks from her new home,

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<v Speaker 2>with her children beside her. A snowball fight had begun,

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<v Speaker 2>and their laughter filled the otherwise quiet neighborhood, slipping and

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<v Speaker 2>sliding and trapesing through the white canvas of snow. Miriam

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<v Speaker 2>thought she hadn't left so hard in a while. Last winter,

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<v Speaker 2>God had put things right, though not as Miriam expected.

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<v Speaker 2>From that winter night to this one, God's grace had

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<v Speaker 2>sustained her, had held her. She let her thoughts return

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<v Speaker 2>till last winter and the angelic owl that roused her

0:23:46.916 --> 0:23:51.876
<v Speaker 2>from her pleas to God, God had answered with a

0:23:51.956 --> 0:23:57.596
<v Speaker 2>display of wonder Like a newlywed. Her heart was arrested,

0:23:58.436 --> 0:24:01.276
<v Speaker 2>and she was swept away with the beauty of it all.

0:24:03.596 --> 0:24:08.476
<v Speaker 2>As Miriam remembered, she thanked God that she had stopped

0:24:08.556 --> 0:24:11.596
<v Speaker 2>to take in the glory that was right in front

0:24:11.596 --> 0:24:17.556
<v Speaker 2>of her. She had almost missed it. This sparked an idea.

0:24:18.076 --> 0:24:20.876
<v Speaker 2>She called her kids to join her under a street

0:24:20.916 --> 0:24:25.916
<v Speaker 2>light on the corner. They begrudgingly made their way to her.

0:24:26.876 --> 0:24:30.556
<v Speaker 2>They weren't done demolishing each other with their snowball weapons.

0:24:32.636 --> 0:24:40.076
<v Speaker 2>Take my hands, she erected them. They did. Now close

0:24:40.116 --> 0:24:45.036
<v Speaker 2>your eyes and lift your faces toward the sky again.

0:24:45.236 --> 0:24:50.076
<v Speaker 2>They obeyed. One of the kids started to speak, but

0:24:50.236 --> 0:24:55.996
<v Speaker 2>she gently hushed them. There they stood beneath the streetlight,

0:24:57.076 --> 0:25:02.156
<v Speaker 2>holding hands in a circle, faces lifted to the sky,

0:25:03.476 --> 0:25:09.356
<v Speaker 2>each one a smile across their lips. Miriam wanted to

0:25:09.436 --> 0:25:14.036
<v Speaker 2>teach them to be still and take in the wonder

0:25:14.636 --> 0:25:20.156
<v Speaker 2>as she had done that winter passed. She finally spoke,

0:25:21.596 --> 0:25:28.676
<v Speaker 2>do you hear it? Hear what? They responded? The peace

0:25:29.156 --> 0:25:33.756
<v Speaker 2>in the air and resting on us? Do you hear it?

0:25:37.156 --> 0:25:44.436
<v Speaker 2>Psalm chapter forty six, verse ten says be still and

0:25:44.676 --> 0:25:52.836
<v Speaker 2>know that I am God. Psalm Chapter one hundred forty seven,

0:25:53.716 --> 0:25:59.636
<v Speaker 2>verse sixteen says He spreads the snow like wool and

0:25:59.836 --> 0:26:07.596
<v Speaker 2>scatters the frost like ashes. Joe chapter thirty seven, verses

0:26:07.756 --> 0:26:13.636
<v Speaker 2>nine through ten says the tempest comes out from its chamber,

0:26:14.596 --> 0:26:19.156
<v Speaker 2>the cold from the driving winds, The breath of God

0:26:19.396 --> 0:26:31.316
<v Speaker 2>produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. Winter whimsy,

0:26:32.276 --> 0:26:35.036
<v Speaker 2>a bunny at the edge of the field decides to

0:26:35.076 --> 0:26:40.156
<v Speaker 2>make a run for it, or rather a hop for it. Quickly,

0:26:40.196 --> 0:26:43.876
<v Speaker 2>shooting his gaze from one side to the other, he

0:26:43.996 --> 0:26:48.996
<v Speaker 2>darts across the field. The winter is slowly settling in,

0:26:49.956 --> 0:26:53.876
<v Speaker 2>and the snow has only teased with the occasional flurry.

0:26:55.436 --> 0:26:59.356
<v Speaker 2>Little bunny has spotted the last of the abandoned vegetables

0:26:59.396 --> 0:27:04.956
<v Speaker 2>at the corners of the garden. Determined and lightning fast,

0:27:06.076 --> 0:27:09.556
<v Speaker 2>only the fluff of his tail can be seen in

0:27:09.636 --> 0:27:15.756
<v Speaker 2>his pursuit. Arriving safely at the sleeping garden, he snatches

0:27:15.796 --> 0:27:20.796
<v Speaker 2>a root vegetable only half excavated. With the prize of

0:27:20.836 --> 0:27:24.316
<v Speaker 2>his heist, he turns to make his return. With the

0:27:24.516 --> 0:27:30.076
<v Speaker 2>glimmer of his warm burrow fixed in his eyes, he

0:27:30.196 --> 0:27:35.756
<v Speaker 2>jumps into action, sprint hopping a bit us with his

0:27:35.916 --> 0:27:43.716
<v Speaker 2>bounty midfield. He hears it the woosh of a hawk's

0:27:43.756 --> 0:27:50.596
<v Speaker 2>wings breezing across his back. He tucks his cottontail and

0:27:50.756 --> 0:27:57.396
<v Speaker 2>doubles his speed, narrowly escaping the hawk's second pass. The

0:27:57.436 --> 0:28:02.836
<v Speaker 2>little field bunny dives into his burrow, but is stopped

0:28:03.076 --> 0:28:08.836
<v Speaker 2>by his prized red beaked root vegetable. Making a quick adjustment,

0:28:09.236 --> 0:28:13.116
<v Speaker 2>he backs into the hole, dragging his bounty from behind.

0:28:14.636 --> 0:28:18.636
<v Speaker 2>He hears the shuffling of his tiny bunny family, and

0:28:18.676 --> 0:28:23.796
<v Speaker 2>the inquisitive sniffing of Mama. All are pleased to have

0:28:23.876 --> 0:28:31.716
<v Speaker 2>a little extra to hold them through the cold winter days. Proverbs,

0:28:31.796 --> 0:28:38.116
<v Speaker 2>chapter thirty one, verse twenty one. When it snows, she

0:28:38.276 --> 0:28:42.476
<v Speaker 2>has no fear for her household, for all of them

0:28:42.636 --> 0:28:50.196
<v Speaker 2>are clothed in scarlet. A little speckled deer lies in

0:28:50.236 --> 0:28:54.236
<v Speaker 2>the forest with a shiver. The other deer wander and

0:28:54.436 --> 0:28:58.156
<v Speaker 2>graze for what can be found along the cold winter ground.

0:28:59.796 --> 0:29:05.716
<v Speaker 2>Still she lies, and she watches. She makes no effort

0:29:05.836 --> 0:29:11.116
<v Speaker 2>to stand, makes no effort to feed herself as they do.

0:29:14.356 --> 0:29:18.316
<v Speaker 2>The day moves on until the hunter's moon begins to rise.

0:29:19.396 --> 0:29:25.556
<v Speaker 2>Still she lies, legs tucked beneath her. The other deer

0:29:25.716 --> 0:29:30.556
<v Speaker 2>wander off and find their shelter for the night. A

0:29:30.596 --> 0:29:36.116
<v Speaker 2>single young buck returns to the little speckled deer. He

0:29:36.236 --> 0:29:41.476
<v Speaker 2>nezzles her ear, sniffs her leg, and slowly circles around

0:29:41.516 --> 0:29:48.756
<v Speaker 2>his friend. Another deer joins, sniffing at her face, stretching

0:29:48.796 --> 0:29:56.316
<v Speaker 2>his leg toward her leg. Still she stays, still, She

0:29:56.476 --> 0:30:01.276
<v Speaker 2>makes no effort to move. The first young buck stomps

0:30:01.276 --> 0:30:06.036
<v Speaker 2>his little hoof toward the speckled deer's hind, legs. He

0:30:06.076 --> 0:30:09.956
<v Speaker 2>does not harm her frame, but he does startle her

0:30:10.396 --> 0:30:14.836
<v Speaker 2>all the same. It seems it's what she needed, because

0:30:14.876 --> 0:30:22.116
<v Speaker 2>she finally wobble rises to an awkward standing position. Now

0:30:22.156 --> 0:30:27.476
<v Speaker 2>they can see her leg is injured, but they neztle her. Nonetheless,

0:30:28.356 --> 0:30:31.396
<v Speaker 2>they know she cannot stay in the open on this

0:30:31.636 --> 0:30:36.316
<v Speaker 2>cold night. They know she must sh alter safe with

0:30:36.436 --> 0:30:40.156
<v Speaker 2>the rest. So one waits ahead for her while the

0:30:40.236 --> 0:30:44.556
<v Speaker 2>other pokes at her from behind, and she attempts a

0:30:44.556 --> 0:30:49.956
<v Speaker 2>step or two. It seems to loosen her tension, and

0:30:50.036 --> 0:30:56.316
<v Speaker 2>she walks with more intention. Before long she has disappeared

0:30:56.836 --> 0:31:00.316
<v Speaker 2>behind the line of the trees, with her two faithful

0:31:00.356 --> 0:31:07.956
<v Speaker 2>friends watching out for her. Hebrews Chapter ten, verse twenty

0:31:07.996 --> 0:31:12.196
<v Speaker 2>four says, and let us watch out for one another

0:31:12.996 --> 0:31:19.916
<v Speaker 2>to provoke love and good works. Winter has spread her

0:31:19.956 --> 0:31:23.956
<v Speaker 2>holy white garments, and the forest is covered in the

0:31:24.036 --> 0:31:29.516
<v Speaker 2>quiet of snowfall. A pair of foxes, frisky with play,

0:31:30.236 --> 0:31:35.676
<v Speaker 2>tussled beneath the trees. From the tree canopy, all that

0:31:35.716 --> 0:31:41.036
<v Speaker 2>can be seen is a flash of fluffy, red orange tails,

0:31:41.076 --> 0:31:46.156
<v Speaker 2>flipping and swirling around each other. Their little chirping sounds

0:31:46.516 --> 0:31:51.156
<v Speaker 2>sound like a chortle. They are lost in the instinct

0:31:51.236 --> 0:31:56.076
<v Speaker 2>of play. They roll and wrestle and accumulate a layer

0:31:56.156 --> 0:32:00.716
<v Speaker 2>of snow on the outer layers of their coats. These

0:32:00.796 --> 0:32:06.116
<v Speaker 2>two whimsical creatures don't notice the dampness or gold. They

0:32:06.276 --> 0:32:11.156
<v Speaker 2>just scuttle on a game of hide and seek mixed

0:32:11.196 --> 0:32:15.996
<v Speaker 2>with horseplay or fox play, around the trunk of trees,

0:32:16.676 --> 0:32:21.036
<v Speaker 2>down the hill and through the hollow rainery little foxes

0:32:21.236 --> 0:32:26.036
<v Speaker 2>without a care to be had until they tire themselves out.

0:32:27.356 --> 0:32:31.316
<v Speaker 2>When the sun has dropped low, Then they will know

0:32:32.316 --> 0:32:35.916
<v Speaker 2>it is time for rest, for when the moon has

0:32:36.036 --> 0:32:40.516
<v Speaker 2>risen to its highest, they will begin the chase all

0:32:40.556 --> 0:32:45.876
<v Speaker 2>over again. So they climb into their hollow, a place

0:32:46.116 --> 0:32:50.916
<v Speaker 2>all their own. They tangle themselves, red tails and fluff,

0:32:51.756 --> 0:32:56.596
<v Speaker 2>long ears and soft paws. Who's to know where one

0:32:56.876 --> 0:33:02.956
<v Speaker 2>ends and the other begins. Nestled in tight, tucked in

0:33:03.356 --> 0:33:09.196
<v Speaker 2>and snuggily, their breaths start to slow, and the warmth

0:33:09.236 --> 0:33:13.356
<v Speaker 2>of each other lulls the two fox companions to deep,

0:33:14.036 --> 0:33:22.556
<v Speaker 2>deep sleep. Let me close our story with one last

0:33:22.756 --> 0:33:34.596
<v Speaker 2>scripture Ecclesiastes, chapter four, verse eleven. Again, if two lie together,

0:33:35.836 --> 0:33:45.196
<v Speaker 2>then they have warm, But how can one be warm alone?

0:33:45.436 --> 0:33:51.116
<v Speaker 2>I will pray for you one more time. Lord, You

0:33:51.156 --> 0:33:55.796
<v Speaker 2>are the god of every season, and we marvel at

0:33:55.836 --> 0:34:01.636
<v Speaker 2>the beauty and variety you gift us with. Thank You

0:34:02.516 --> 0:34:07.676
<v Speaker 2>for the stillness winter brings. Thank You for the hush

0:34:07.836 --> 0:34:15.876
<v Speaker 2>of a snowy winter scene. Your presence is undeniable when

0:34:15.916 --> 0:34:23.476
<v Speaker 2>we gaze across snow covered hills, streets, and homes. Thank

0:34:23.556 --> 0:34:26.836
<v Speaker 2>You for a season that allows us to slow down,

0:34:28.156 --> 0:34:32.916
<v Speaker 2>get cozy, and look more deeply at our loved ones

0:34:33.996 --> 0:34:39.196
<v Speaker 2>and our self. Else We love the work of your

0:34:39.236 --> 0:34:50.236
<v Speaker 2>hands so much. Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen, thank

0:34:50.276 --> 0:34:54.796
<v Speaker 2>you for joining me for the winter Song. I hope

0:34:54.796 --> 0:35:00.556
<v Speaker 2>you enjoyed the stories, poems and insights as the seasons

0:35:00.636 --> 0:35:05.156
<v Speaker 2>unfold on the earth and in your life. May you

0:35:05.596 --> 0:35:39.276
<v Speaker 2>always see the gifts God has for you.