It is quiet behind our house this time of year.  Many aren’t using the pathway that stretches from one town to another.  It is cold outside and it pierces your flesh, leaving you shivering as you stand and wait.  In the silence I can hear my teeth chatter

So what compels me to stand out in the cold wet of winter?

Nothing.

And everything.

I walk the icy pathway.  Barren trees lift their branches high up into the blue of sky above.  This is Christmas morning.

The white bark of the birch tree that stands tall and erect beside me almost glows as the sun radiates its light on trunk and limbs. And I see utmost beauty.  I stand speechless.  It is a beautiful Christmas morning sight.

I have learned many lessons this past month within the silence of the keyboard.  The rattling of keys has been minimal.  Social conversations via internet sites have not been.  The telephone has been in the hands of another and so one on one conversations via satellites and modern technology of a cell phone have been almost nil.

Through the silence, through barrenness of winter – this dark season of life – God has spoken.  A mere whisper perhaps, but He has been there.

One Who lately seemed so terribly far away, still walks beside me.

In silence.

And it is in silence He is teaching…

The faster I walk, the less I see, the less I hear.

The faster I live, the more I am life-less.

I miss the surprises.

I miss the beauty.

I miss the Creator.

I stand on the path and a man on a bike stops.  He asks what I am taking pictures of.  I tell him salmon in the creek.  A woman stops, repeating the same question.  I tell her Downy Woodpeckers.  They both look – one up into blue and one down, into murky waters.  They smile politely and continue on their way.  They can’t see.  They are hurried into experiencing life and in their hurry, they miss it.

I listen to the sounds of birds who are wintering over and have found sustenance at my bird feeders. Filled with black sunflowers, thistle seeds and suet, they sing with thanksgiving before they  dive down for another bite.

This – all of this – a wonderful gift God has given.  Shamefully, I have often walked dark winter’s path and have not looked up into barren branches as those who often pass me by.  To my regret, I have missed the surprises that are hidden for those who have learned to be still.  For those who have learned who God is.

Merciful Father.  Pouring undeserved kindness and compassion upon the head of one undeserving.

Me.

I stand in the cold, warmed by knowing He is gently leading me back.  Back to a fullness in Him. A fullness that once discovered, once experienced – no other can fill.

I stand there, taking in a deep breath of icy air surrounding my face.  As my lungs fill with a cleansing cold, I see it and it sees me.  There, in high limbs a hawk is perched, watching, observing, following me where I move.

I lift the camera and point in his direction and shoot.  He is annoyed and removes his talons from tightly held limbs and takes off into flight. As I stand in stillness, I watch with held breath.  I want to remember this moment forever.

I want to remember this lesson He teaches me.  How His wings protect and shelter us underneath.  I want to remember in stillness there is sight.  I want to remember the undeserved mercy lavished upon me day after day after day.  The unconditional love, forgiveness of sins, and pounding of nails into human flesh against a splintery tree that once stood atop a hill. Nails meant for me, driven into the hand of Another.

I want to remember to live.  Unhurried.  Full of life.  Full of thankfulness.  Full of gratitude and be a grace extender.  I want to live in stillness, knowing deep in my being just who God is in my life.

Hope-maker.  Fear-taker.  Peace-giver. Grace-coverer.  Stillness-trainer.  Life-sustainer.  Soul-redeemer.  Silence-creator. Day after day after day.

From my heart  ~Sherri