Today is a snow day. We don’t get a lot of them here in Tennessee, but we usually get at least one fairly good one each winter. Today is that day. 
I used to hate winter. I complained constantly about the cold and the short, grey days with little sunlight. But now I’ve come to realize, just like everything else God created, winter has its purpose.
Like most, I prefer sunshine, blue skies, and warm temperatures year-round, but that’s not what the soul always needs.
While winter is a time for the plants and trees to rest, it allows time for us to get extra rest, too. The longer dark nights cause us to want to sleep more. While this may cut into our schedule of things we want done, the extra sleep helps make us healthier and enables us to live longer. 
We spend more time with our family in winter. The cold temperatures are a deterrent to getting outside so we light a fire or a candle and cuddle up with our spouse or little ones more often. Our family ties grow stronger.
Snow days like today are a special gift. We get to sleep in and break the routine of rushing to school or to work for a day or so. The children are excited and maybe even get out and play in it. 
Time for a pause
Something is captivating about watching the flakes slowly and quietly fall from the sky and cover the earth with a soft blanket of white. They seem to say, slow down and take a breather.  Everything is alright. Have some hot tea and relax a bit.
Unfortunately, there are those for whom snow does present a problem. They still have to get out and go to work or to some other important engagement. Then it becomes stressful instead blissful. I know because I’ve been there also. It’s not fun.
But still winter is a part of God’s lovely design. It’s suppose to get cold and still for just a little while. Even the earth needs its rest. 
Thank you, God for the gift of winter and all the blessings that come with it.
You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.
Psalms 74:17
