The Beauty of Winter

It's a new year... 2014. Happy and blessed year to everyone that read this.  May you know Jesus more and more this year!

 

In November, I was blessed with a car (after months of sorting out paper work, insurance, taxing etc).  A Dark Blue Rover 25 for those of you who know cars but for those of you that's like me... A picture speaks a thousands words :):

Having a car meant a little bit more "freedom" or independence - for example being able to go and do grocery shopping only when needed (small things).  It also gave me the opportunity for some exploring.  My first road trip was to Dartmoor National Park via Tavistock on a very cold, windy, rainy winters day.  After exploring the unexpected, but lovely market in the town centre of  Tavistock, I continued on to Dartmoor National Park. 

Tavistock town centre

I've only seen a small part of the Park but it was definitely enough that I want to go back.  As I was looking and preparing to take a photo of this beautiful winter nature scene in front of me: Flowing river, with bare trees next to it, surrounded by your typical "winter" looking grass and hills (my description doesn't do it justice, so see the picture below), I was reminded by God of winter seasons in life... And that even though they are not easy, often lonely, stripped bare, possibly uncomfortable, challenging, tearful - they are beautiful.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 11 says: "To everything there is a season.  A time for every purpose under heaven.  He has made everything BEAUTIFUL in its time.  Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the works that God does from beginning to end."  We might not be able to see the end, or understand the why - but we can hold onto the One [Jesus] that has everything in His Control and making it beautiful in its time, knowing He has a purpose.  Psalm 1 says "Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord... He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water [like my picture], that brings forth fruit IN ITS SEASON."  In the winter seasons God is shaping us that we can bring forth fruit in season.  In the winter seasons we get to know God for who He is.  In the winter seasons we have fellowship in Jesus' suffering [Phil 3:10]. In the winter seasons, be firmly planted in God's Word, hold onto and take delight in God's promises.  As Corrie Ten Boom said: No pit is so deep, that He is not deeper still.  With Jesus, even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.

 

Being away over the Christmas season was challenging.  But, I had the privilege of spending 2 wonderful weeks with Jaco, Lizelle and Ruben (now 3 and a half months) in Norwich (East-England).  They were such a blessing to me.  No, we didn't have a white Christmas... but a cold one!  It was a beautiful day according to UK standards (that means single digit temperature, sunny, no rain).  We celebrated Christmas with 9 more of their friends - fellow South Africans.  We did a typical British Christmas lunch (having turkey) in a South African style (yip, you guessed it - on the braai!).  New Years brought its own "style" - entering the new year all dressed up in 80's style!  But with all the fun and dressing up, isn't it even better to know that I'm entering a new year with Jesus?  More opportunities to know Him and serve Him more.

 

May you be found in Jesus and know Jesus more intimately in 2014.

 

Thank you to all who are praying for us.  Here are some more prayer requests:

1)  Phil Pechonis and his family -  He is our Creation Fest Director and was diagnosed with cancer.  Please continue to pray as he undergo chemo therapy
 2) Creation Fest:

*  Pray for the planning of Creation Fest 2014 and that more churches will get involved

*  Praise report:  Sanmarie Moore said yes to coming to serve at Creation Fest (she is gifted with many skills that is much needed on the Creation Fest team).  She is in the process of applying for her visa.  Please pray for favour with the logistics, visa process and planning
3) For myself:  That I would keep my eyes on Jesus and be faithful to what He has called me