Tag Archives: winter

Grey Skies and Sunshine

March 13, 2019Spiritual Encouragementencouragement, God's love, gray days, grey days, He's always there, Love of God, sunshine, Unconditional love, winter, Zephaniah 3:17T.W. Allgaier

I will be the first to admit that I am not terribly fond of grey days. It seems there have been more of them this winter than usual. At least it seems that way.

I had to run errands today and was on a parking lot lamenting yet another grey sky.

I looked up and all around was grey, grey and more grey. I rolled the cart to the bay and turned back around saunter back to my grey-blue car.

“Look Up.” Two simple words in my spirit that had my eyes turning up over a building.

It was there. The sun. I even took a picture.

It was not shining brightly, nor was it truly recognizable. But it was there.

Behind the grey, the hurting, the pain, the rain, the storm, the winds that blow….the Sun was still there.

Yes, it was hard to see. But it was that gentle reminder I personally needed so badly. Life can get tough sometimes, and you can feel like you are totally surrounded by grey.

But Look Up. You might just see a glimpse behind that cloud.

A reminder that He is right there in the midst of it all.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

Whether Weather

February 19, 2019Spiritual Encouragementbirds, birds of the air, choice, choose joy, contentment, ice, Matthew 6, perspective, Philippians 4, snow, spiritual encouragement, weather, winterT.W. Allgaier

It seems as though the weather is in the news. Snow, freezing rain, ice, wind, traffic issues, schools closed, flights canceled.

Let me be completely honest. I am not a winter person. I do not like cold. I prefer warm, balmy temperatures. I will say that “when” it is snowing I think it is pretty, but that is as positive as this gal can get. Yes, I prefer summer and I am not afraid to say so. I may belong in the deep southern half of the USA on a permanent basis.

So I looked out the window and found myself watching these three little birds. I called them Larry, Curly and Moe. They seemed to have it together. They were flitting in and out of the ivy wall we have in our back yard. It is very thick and the ivy has taken on a life of its own. These boys (girls??) were getting deep inside the ivy and I would say were keeping as toasty as possible. I was reminded of a couple of things.

Yep, Larry, Curly and Moe were just fine. So why do I sometimes worry about my tomorrows? I am worth more than that the bird of the air. More important to God than Larry. More important than Curly, even Moe.

Then the second message hit me. Remember when I said that I do not like cold or snow? Well, I thought of Paul. You know when he wrote the church in Philippians from jail… “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

And I don’t like snow. Gees. Can I trust Him? Can I be content? He says I can so I just have to make that choice.

Enjoy your quiet time as the cold shuts down part of your world…and look out the window no telling what you might see!

And while being content, I might just look at some deep south pictures!! 🙂

~Be Encouraged Today

Tammy

Winter of the Soul

January 23, 2019Spiritual EncouragementChrist, Christian encouragement, discouraged, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, God's peace, God's word, Jesus, John 1, John 16, Lord, seasons, snow, spring, Trials, troubles in life, winterT.W. Allgaier

Winter is a season….sometimes of the Soul!

We’ve had very cold temps of late. My skin is dry, our heating bills are up. Our humidifier is running non-stop!

The only flowers I have seen of late are in plastic containers in the grocery store, but they are beautiful and fragrant.

The grass it is brown and tired. It has been frozen a number of times already and looks like it may never be green again. Falling on this ground would not be forgiving I am afraid.

There is one thing that never changes. It does not wither, fade or quit being useful. It stands forever and provides beauty, color, fragrance in our life. It does not fail. It has withstood many tests of oppression. It does not perish in any way. It cushions our blow, our fall, our jump.

What is this thing? Yes, it is the Word of God. And the Word of God is love.

There are so many people hurting today. They are dealing with death, cancer, illness of all kinds. We all have been there or will be there someday. I call these times the “winter of the soul”. But in this life we are not promised it will be easy. Jesus told us in John….“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So dear friends, be encouraged this day. It may be “winter”, but spring is right around the corner! Be on the lookout for those pink flowers!

~Be Encouraged Today

Tammy