Silk Threads

Have you spied silky spiderwebs looking like golden threads in the sunlight? If you look for them, they are everywhere! This summer we spotted hundreds of caterpillars dropping from maple trees, also by using silk threads. We were close to a shallow river, shaded by nearby maple trees. The sunshine reflecting off the water as it trickled over smooth rocks gave me a reason to pause and notice. In the grassy field next to the river, hundreds of little silk threads were falling from the trees. It was like a film of fine silk threads veiling everything.

Some of the threads were made by caterpillars coming down from leaves, and others were from spiders. Someone walking by might miss the silk threads if they weren't looking towards the sunlight. Both types of silks were thinly covering a lot of the trees, grass, and were floating in the air. The different purposes of the threads made me think.

Silk threads from spiders are woven to catch things- flying insects. They are part of a trap meant to take away freedom. Some spiders spin webs in the shape of domes, they look like upside-down bowls. They catch insects as they begin to fly upwards. If you were a small insect on the ground, using the sun for navigation, looking up you might mistake the golden shimmer of the spider web threads for the sun, and fly towards them. Once caught, the insects have to struggle to get free, and some never make it to freedom. The success of the web is being almost imperceptible. The nature of webs is to take flight away, trapping and leading to the death of the insects caught. 

Other silk threads are part of a caterpillar's transformation into a winged insect, a flying moth, or a butterfly. They are part of giving a caterpillar wings to fly. Seeing a leaf-munching caterpillar, we never think how many thousands of miles that slow little caterpillar may travel once it has wings. 

Some butterflies like monarch butterflies fly 3,000 miles in their migration paths. Interestingly, it takes monarch butterflies 4 generations to complete a migration circle. Each generation has a different role to play in the migration pattern than the one before it. What an amazing plan for such a little insect! Four generations is also a phrase used in the scriptures, also referring to a cycle. The silk threads of butterflies and moths lead to greater vistas and freedom than a little caterpillar could ever imagine.

Some silk threads will lead to entrapment, other silk threads will lead to freedom. Both are invisible unless they are seen in the sunshine, and both are much more abundant than is noticed at first glance.

There are a couple scriptures that mention worms: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 41:14. David in the Psalms also talks about a worm, "But I, a worm, am loved of no man; a reproach of man, despised of the people. . . . I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. . . . They pierced my hands and my feet." Psalm 22: 6,14,16. This is in reference to Jesus, and his crucifixion. This link is to an interesting article on the meaning of "worm" in the Bible.

What about the invisible threads in my life? What threads are pulling on me, and what do they lead to- freedom or entrapment? 

We can feel cords of influence, things that invisibly pull on us, from people, from traditions of how we grew up, from our cell phones, entertainment, or other things- pulling us towards good or evil. Removing ourselves from webs is not easy. The Lord helps us to untangle as we ask for his help. We can ask the Lord to help us see what is His truth and light.

As I was organizing my thoughts, I wrote about the webs in my life. The Lord cautioned me, what is a web for me might not be a web for someone else. He told me not to despise what He uses to bring his children to Him. How many times I've misjudged people and situations! The Lord is working with all of us as we seek Him, and it will look different for each of us. I think we can agree that what distances us from the Lord is a web. If something is depleting your ability to take care of yourself, spouse or children, we should also ask ourselves and ask the Lord if it is acting like a web. 

The devil will try to take what is meant for good and turn it for evil. Things that are supposed to be good- family, church, service to others, all of these the devil tries to claim for himself, and uses them to manipulate people and distance them from God and each other. The Lord takes what is evil and transforms it into something good and beautiful. How wonderful is our God!

Webs come in different shapes. Some webs might be lies we grew up believing. Maybe we believed we had nothing to contribute, and shouldn't speak up, or rock the boat. Maybe we believed we weren't loved, or smart, or that in some way we are beyond hope. Other webs might be of our own making,  destructive patterns like anger or impatience or trying to control others. We all are caught in more webs than we realize! 

When an insect is in a spider's web, the movement of the insect is felt by the spider. When we move, we also cause movements in the invisible threads around us. Don't be discouraged if you are trying to overcome a web or lie, and all of a sudden it gets harder. Light overcomes darkness.

A few days ago I went on a walk with my kids. We noticed many more webs. I asked, how do you tell the difference between a silk thread that is a trap, or a silk thread that leads to more freedom? 

The Lord always respects our ability to choose. We don't feel trapped or manipulated when we are following the Lord, we feel freedom. If you feel that you have no choice in a matter, or that you are forced to do what doesn't seem right, that isn't how the Lord works. He always respects our ability to choose. He makes a way where there is no way!  

I was on a walk thinking about these connections and silk threads. I asked the Lord, "What connects me to you?" He answered, "My love for you." As the answer "My love for you " came into my mind, the next thing in my path was a maple tree. The stems connecting the leaves to the branches stood out to me because they were red. I knew the red stems were part of my answer.

I had seen red stems on a quaking aspen, just a couple weeks earlier. The red stems remind me that Jesus' connection and love for me is marked by his sacrifice, he gave his life for me. The scripture about Jesus being the vine came to mind, "I am the vine, ye are the branches." John 15:5. The verse before states, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4.

 

This was a different tree a couple years ago, also with red stems connecting the leaves to the branches. 

A few feet away from the first tree, was another maple tree with helicopter seeds- the seeds that spin like helicopters in the wind. The seeds look like wings to fly. The Lord gives us wings to fly! He gives us freedom.

I looked up the scripture about Jesus being the truth, the truth that sets us free. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32. Later in that chapter, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12. I love those words about Jesus, he is the light that makes darkness scatter. It isn't anything we do, it's Him. 

Interestingly, the chapter where Jesus says he is the truth that sets us free is the same chapter where the woman is caught in adultery and brought to Jesus. She was definitely caught in a trap, one that might have gotten her killed. 

"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst of the people, [it sounds like they were trying to make her an example. What a horrible position for her to be in!] they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. [Where was the man involved in this? It is interesting that only she is made an example.] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out of the temple one by one. beginning at the eldest, even unto the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman was standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised up himself, and saw none of her accusers, and the woman standing, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more. And the woman glorified God from that hour, and believed on his name." John 8:4-11

Jesus is so quick to forgive! He didn't rehash what she already knew, he just forgave her. That last sentence caught my attention. She glorified God from that hour. What a beautiful statement about how forgiveness makes you feel and how it changes you. How quickly her life changed! I wish I could have heard her story, and heard how she glorified God. Someday maybe we will.

Do I appreciate Jesus' love and sacrifice for me?  Do I ask Jesus for help in getting out of the webs that I am in? Have you felt Jesus freeing you from burdens? How has He changed your life? I hope these are the conversations we have with each other- how has Jesus changed your life?

How has Jesus changed my life? Jesus helps me to be better than I am, forgiving me so many times! Jesus gives me peace when I feel anxious or troubled. He helps me understand what is confusing and counsels me when I don't know how to handle challenges and relationships. Jesus' advice is wise and loving, He really is a Wonderful Counselor! When fitting a pattern is something I push against, Jesus tells me it's OK, and He works with me wherever I am. Knowing Jesus loves me and that He sees me means everything to me. Jesus created so many things to teach me about Him, the trees, the sun, the clouds, they all testify of Jesus and his love for us. It has been liberating to learn that I don't need to run faster and do more and more to earn his love and blessings. He loves me not because I have earned it, but because that is who He is, He is a loving God that loves to bless his children.

Song: Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Jesus by Anne Wilson

Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Jesus   Lyrics

… Are you past the point of weary?

Is your burden weighin' heavy?

Is it all too much to carry?

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

Do you feel that empty feeling?

'Cause shame's done all its stealin'

And you're desperate for some healin'

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

… He makes a way where there ain't no way

Rises up from an empty grave

Ain't no sinner that He can't save

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

His love is strong and His grace is free

And the good news is I know that He

Can do for you what He's done for me

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

And let my Jesus change your life

… Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Amen

Amen

… Who can wipe away the tears

From broken dreams and wasted years

And tell the past to disappear? Oh

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

And all the wrong turns that you would

Go and undo if you could

Who can work it all for your good

Let me tell you about my Jesus

… He makes a way where there ain't no way

Rises up from an empty grave

Ain't no sinner that He can't save

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

His love is strong and His grace is free

And the good news is I know that He

Can do for you what He's done for me

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

And let my Jesus change your life

… Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Amen

Amen, Amen

… Who would take my cross to Calvary?

Pay the price for all my guilty?

Who would care that much about me?

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus, oh

… He makes a way where there ain't no way

Rises up from an empty grave

Ain't no sinner that He can't save

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

His love is strong and His grace is free

And the good news is I know that He

Can do for you what He's done for me

Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

And let my Jesus change your life

… Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah, amen

Amen

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Let my Jesus change your life

A testimony of Jesus in Seeds

 With spring coming, we have been learning about how to grow different seeds. All of nature testifies of our Creator. The seeds testify of Jesus, and what He went through for us, and also teach us about our growth. 

Jesus said He is the seed that fell to bring new life. In Matthew 13 Jesus gives 3 parables about seeds. I love how Jesus uses simple things in nature to teach us. This is NLT version of the parables. I grew up with the KJV, but the slight change in wording helps it become fresh and makes me think more.

The Sower and the Seeds

"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

We automatically assume that we are the good, fertile soil and that other people are the hard, rocky, thorny soil. If we can see that we can be hardened, rocky, shallow, and filled with thorns- we are more likely to want to change and allow our trials to tutor us. We hope that our heart's soil becomes less hard, less rocky, less filled with thorns and less shallow, and more fertile ground for faith in Jesus to grow. 

The Wheat and the Tares 

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?' "An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed. "Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked. "No',  he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn."

The Mustard Seed

"Here is another illustration Jesus used, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."

The night of the Passover dinner before Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me." John 12:24-26 NLT

Jesus is the seed that we plant in our hearts. Let me tell you a little about seeds, and how they testify of Jesus. Seeds teach us about what Jesus went through for us, and also some of what we go through in following Him.

We have been learning about how to grow microgreens- plants grown in shallow trays with soil. For a time, they are covered, light is blocked and they are weighed down. "The weight forces the tiny seedling to anchor itself in the soil. This produces a stronger and better-rooted plant." (link to quote). This hit me as truth. Do our trials force us to anchor ourselves? To anchor to truth, to Him that is truth, to Jesus?

Another reason microgreens are covered with weight is that it helps the plant to discard the seed's tough shell- the necessary protective covering that has kept the seed from spoiling. There are different methods of applying pressure to the seeds. Some growers use other flats filled with soil and seeds as the weight to encourage growth- they stack seed trays on top of each other. Another method is to put heavy bricks on the seedlings. One grower said they stack growing trays and also put a 15 lb brick on top of the stacks of seed trays. Wow, that's a lot of weight for a tiny seed, it's amazing that they are strong enough to grow and push back under that pressure! You have probably seen a plant growing in a tiny crack of concrete, or in the cracks between rocks. It is amazing plant roots can crack rocks and boulders. 

The darkness causes the seeds to push upward and reach for light. Without the darkness, the seeds wouldn't have to stretch, discard their shells and push through the dirt to reach the light. The darkness of the world causes us to reach for Jesus and the light He is to us. The worse the world becomes, the brighter Jesus' light and love is to us. Our heart is where Jesus' love is meant to grow deep roots. The trials we go through are removing some of the hardness, rockiness, and thorns in our hearts. We may be weighed down at times by the choices of people around us. Most of us have hard shells to shed, our unbelief, our worries about what others think, and our attachment to worldly things. Maybe our shell is our set expectations, and we are learning to trust more in God's plan. 

Not all seeds have tough shells to discard though. Jesus was perfect, humble, honest and direct, yet forgiving and loving. He always directed any praise to Heavenly Father. Like the seeds are weighed down, Jesus bore the weight of all of our sins. Our sins were his weight, we each were part of the pains he suffered. He spared us the crushing effects of our sins by taking on himself our transgressions.

One plant that I collected seeds from last fall was angelica.  I will tell you about how I came across angelica at the end of this post, but it is a special, medicinal plant with tall majestic white flowers. Angelica seeds need to be placed in winter-like conditions before they will sprout.  A month is the minimum time needed for the seeds to sit in a winter climate- if not a real winter, a fridge may work. Many wildflowers have this protective mechanism to prevent the plants from germinating too soon. Even after the cold period, the seeds might take months to sprout. Waiting, nurturing the seed, hoping and wondering if they will grow at all, is how some very special plants grow. Having children teaches us a lot about the waiting, hoping, and wondering that is a key part of the faith. 

Jesus was at peace in His Father's timing. He waited for the timing to be right for his mission and for the miracles he performed. I wonder what led his mother, Mary, to ask Jesus to intervene at the wedding in Cana, when the wine ran out. It was Jesus' first public miracle. It is interesting that Jesus turned the water to wine after the man-made supply had run out.  Had Mary seen Jesus do miracles in their home? Jesus grew in learning and wisdom, waiting for the right time to begin his mission. For us, timing for answered prayers or waited blessings is something we wrestle with. Patience with the uncertainty of our trials, and being at peace in God's care and His timetable is a critical key to following the Lord. Jesus' words in the Lord's prayer, asking for daily bread, are a reminder to ask the Lord for strength to get through today, to trust God for daily support, just as the little birds trust God.  

Some seeds, like nasturtiums, sweet peas and others, are put through scarification, they are scarred, before they are planted. Growers will get sandpaper and scar the seeds so that they will sprout. Wow, this really reminds me of Jesus and his scars for us. Isaiah says "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5. 

Some seeds are unlocked with intense heat, like forest fires. Evergreen trees of certain kinds have pine cones that are covered with a protective waxy resin, they are known as serotinous cones. The fires and intense heat melt the protective resin and open the pinecones where the seeds are stored. 

When we had forest fires close to us, after gathering up our families, we anxiously watched news of the fires from a safe distance. When Jesus faced his last few days, his trial, terrible scourging, and crucifixion, most of his disciples fled, like we flee from forest fires. They watched anxiously from a safer distance, as Jesus went through fire for all of us. Jesus had the ability to leave, but he stayed to bear our sins. Like the pine cone opened up for seeds and new life to grow, Jesus was stretched open on the cross to give us new life. When someone is suffering intensely, a natural instinct is to curl up tightly in fetal position. If you have ever seen someone you love like that, you can't ever forget. All other comforts gone, every means of reassurance exhausted except for the ability to feel arms hugging knees, protectively pressed into a tearful face. How painful it must have been for Jesus after being scourged and whipped, then to be stretched wide open, nailed to a cross. When we are in pain, most of us turn inward, focusing on ourselves. Jesus was focused on others, being open and aware of those around him, loving and forgiving as he was suffering. It is significant that it is evergreen trees who have pinecones that are opened up with fire to bring forth new life. Evergreen trees remind us of Jesus love- these trees don't lose their leaves with the seasons, they are always green. Jesus loves is like that.

Jesus is the seed that went through fire for us to give us new life. How thankful we are that he overcame all things, even death, and resurrected for each one of us. 

Jesus also stays with us in our personal trials, he is in the fire with us, like he was for Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego (Daniel 3). Maybe you feel like you are in the fire. Ask the Lord in prayer how He is helping you, I bet He can't wait to show you that He is with you, carrying you when you need it. Trust that something new and good will come. Knowing He is with us makes the hard things lose their bitterness. 

Some seeds of flowers require the heat, smoke and the charred alkaline remains of a forest fire to grow, like fire poppies, mountain mallows, fireweed, arnica. These flowers are so colorful and beautiful, their petals look like fair wings healing the forest. These seeds can wait for decades before the conditions are right to sprout. That is a really long time to wait! Interestingly, some of the flowers that grow after fires are cooling, soothing medicinal plants you could apply to a burn. God always provides healing and help! His help is always on time. The Lord is faithful to his promises, and out of the ashes he brings forth beauty. 

Mountain mallows by Heidi Brinkerhoff Rohner

Fireweed

Some seeds grow best in disturbed soil.  Sunflowers love to grow in areas that are disturbed. In our area, after the forest fires, there was danger of flooding. Machinery was brought in to create berms and ditches to contain flooding runoff. Where bulldozers came through, those areas grew a wide path or field of sunflowers the following year. For Jesus, his friends and family, surely it seemed like his death was the end, Jesus had been removed from the land of the living in the most painful way possible. But Jesus resurrection was only a few days away from his crucifixion. Tears were turned to joy that he lives! Does it seem your soil has been bulldozed? There is something special in the works, God turns all things for our good.

Let me finish telling you about the angelica seeds that I mentioned earlier. It is interesting that the Lord loves us and knows what touches our hearts! At the right moments for us individually, He gives us reminders of his love. A couple years ago for my birthday, we walked around a mountain lake, the kids skipped rocks, we enjoyed the sunset, and it was a wonderful evening. With a large family it is hard to get everyone together, and usually at least one or two people are having a rough or grumpy time. It was a rare moment for us to be together, happy, and in a beautiful place. There were some delicate white flowers that were on one side of the lake, they were tall and beautiful, I had to take a few pictures. When I got home and looked them up, I couldn't tell if the white blossoms were angelica or their poisonous look-alike. I forgot about our walk around the lake, and the white flowers as other things came up. The following year, a friend was giving an herb walk at this same lake. I went, and she stopped at the same spot I had taken pictures of the year before to point out the white flowers. She taught us how to tell the difference between the amazing angelica plant and the look-alike- poison hemlock. They were growing close to each other. She pointed out the features that tell them apart- shape of leaves, smell, hair on leaves, color of the stalks. During the Black Plague, a Benedictine monk was given a dream where an angel told him to use this plant to help people with the plague. That is why the plant was named Angelica Archangelica. In Europe, angelica is candied and used to flavor pastries and flavor alcohol, and it is also used medicinally by many. I had completely forgotten about our family's walk around the lake a year before and my desire to learn about the white flowers, until I went back through my pictures, and found the angelica flowers from the year before. The Lord knew the desire of my heart to know about these flowers, and a year later gave me that gift. I was amazed at the Lord's love and goodness to me. I had forgotten, but He hadn't, He remembered me. It spoke right to my heart. He knows our interests and speaks each of our love languages. He speaks your love language. I hope you can see the Lord's individual love for you, and how He knows you so well. He knows every thought, every worry. Even every hair on our heads and every tiny ridge in our fingerprint is loved and known by Him. 

Angelica Archangelica

When you are going through a trial, remember the seeds. They teach us how darkness and uncertainty are needed to grow strong roots. The darkness helps us reach for light, for Jesus that is our Light. The seeds teach us about being patient, and having hope and faith when we are in the dark, and discarding the tough shells that keep us from growing. Seeds teach us that Jesus made small things strong, we can grow under pressure. Most important though, seeds remind us of what Jesus went through for each of us. Jesus was scarred for us, went through fire at his crucifixion for us, and resurrected to overcome death for us. All of nature testifies of Christ and praises him! 

Trees and Chickadees

Little birds are amazing in their resilience. It is always mind-boggling to me that they can survive winter storms, where do they go? How did the Lord make them so that warm blood flows in their tiny toothpick legs when everything else is frozen? My feet are always cold, I wonder how the little birds feet stay warm. One day I was walking, I had been asking the Lord to help me, I need his reassurance, peace, and help so often. On this walk, I noticed that every time I came closer to small birds, they flew up to a higher place, like a pine tree. The Lord told me he wants me to be like the little birds that are always returning to their tree for safety. He wants to be my safe place, and where I constantly return when I need peace and reassurance. Like the pine trees, with branches that are green all year, his love is always there for me. 

Another time I went on a walk, as a strong wind was ushering in a heavy winter storm.  Tiny balls of ice and snow had begun to pelt the ground. Being outside while wind and clouds are gathering for a storm is awesome if you are dressed warm. I passed a wide and towering evergreen tree with snow and icicles on its thick branches. Close to the trunk of the tree, out of the wind, was a little black and white chickadee. This little bird was chirping insistently, and looking right at me. It kept chirping as if it had a message for me. It seemed to say, "I'm OK, I'm safe, here by my tree." Jesus is our safe place, our shelter, our hiding place, especially in the trials we go through. 

Chickadees are small, and might seem insignificant, but they are hopeful, joyful, and resilient. It is amazing to me that they can survive the cold temperatures and winter snow. How do they keep warm when they are smaller than the palm of my hand? God made them to survive the winters. They glorify God just by being themselves- the joy and trust in God they convey, is hopeful.

Wherever you are, know that Jesus wants to be with you through the storm and in the sunshine too. He paid the ultimate price so that he could do that for you and me. 

He wants to be our shelter and safety, because He's the only way we'll get through life OK. He is the Way and the Truth. He is the Wonderful Counselor who wants to lead you through your trials. Others might not understand, but He does.

After big snowstorms, it is interesting to watch the snow melt from the snowbanks on the hills and mountains. The water runs down the streets and in the gutters, in small rippling waves that just keep coming, all hours of the day and night.  Just as the snow can't help running down the mountain, the Lord's love can't be stopped from flowing toward his children. We are never far from his love, because his love is the very force that gives us breath and life.

God's Love and Snow

My husband's father passed away due to the effects of a stroke earlier this winter. We were all heartbroken, it felt sudden and way too soon. On the day of his funeral, a heavy snowstorm covered everything with a foot and a half of snow. The next day, we went out to shovel the snow off of our driveway. Every twig, every branch of every tree was outlined by white snow. It hadn't melted yet, or been blown away by the snow. Normally snow does not stay more than a few hours undisturbed on the oak trees' twigs and branches. Temperatures change quickly and the wind comes up, or the sun comes out and melts the snow off the twigs and branches, even though the snow stays on the ground much longer. But this snow stayed on every twig of every tree, for 2-3 days. It was beautiful and unusual. It reminded me that just as the snow covered every detail, God's love for us is over every detail in our lives. Because of what we had just been through, we felt loved and felt hope in seeing the snow.

I had seen snow like this before, it was meaningful to me. It was several years ago, a few days before our daughter's biggest surgery. The surgery ahead of her at that time would be complicated and long, and the details of how it could be done were unclear to me. I was worried about so many things- the surgery and complications, leaving our kids at home, staying at the hospital for an extended time.  A few days before the surgery, it snowed heavily. Every detail of every branch was covered with beautiful white snow, and the snow didn't melt for a couple days, which is rare. I felt that in the snow was a personal message for me. Every detail of our daughter's surgery and the next few weeks would be covered by the Lord's love for us, just like the snow was covering every twig of every tree. I hung on to that hope and love because I needed it! And it was true, the surgery went well. Everything that we could have thought of and more was taken care of by the Lord. There were difficult moments, but we could feel the Lord helping us and blessing us.

Snow several years ago, a few days before our daughter's surgery

When I saw the snow on the day of my father-in-law's funeral, especially how it stayed on the branches like it did just before our daughter's surgery, I knew that there was something special about the snow. It was reminding us that Heavenly Father's love covers every detail in our lives. He knows.

Jesus compared himself to a grain of wheat, a seed, that had to die to give others life. "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives." John 12:20 NLT.  It is interesting to see the different translations of this verse, other translations say a grain falls to the ground and dies. The NLT translates it as a kernel of wheat is "planted". This shows our Heavenly Parents and Jesus' loving intentions for us, in his sacrifice. 

It is easy to think of Jesus when we see seeds on trees and flowers. I especially love to see how the birds are provided for by the seeds. There is a tree with little red berries in our yard, the berries are the seeds of the tree. The day of the funeral, when it snowed so heavily, the red berries were weighed down with heavy snow that looked like snow cones. Small icicles that looked like teardrops were forming on the berries. The berries reminded me that Jesus carries our burdens, weeps with us, and also offers himself to give us life. 

My friend shared this about icicles: In symbolism, icicles remind one to be still - they count the passage of time with each drop of water they emit. Be still and know that I am God. 

A few weeks later, I was still processing everything that happened when Grandpa passed away, and was out on a walk. I passed some dried-out sunflowers. I thought of the beautiful sunflowers and the changes they had gone through since summer. The bright yellow petals of the sunflowers had fallen off, the stems and leaves had lost their green vibrance, the stems had dried out, and they were standing in 2 feet of snow.  It's too bad that the days of summer glory are past for the sunflower, I thought. Then it seemed that the flowers replied, "These are my glory days, I get to feed the little birds in winter!" It surprised me, and made me think of the small and big things we do to take care of each other, it is an honor to do what we can to help others. It also made me think of Jesus, and the price he paid suffering for our sins. 

Did Jesus feel that way about his suffering for us? Did he look at his sacrifice like that? In Jesus' hardest moments, he was feeding us, giving us life. Maybe it is in our winter times, our personal difficulties, that Jesus' love shines the brightest, and we are most grateful for his unchanging love for us. Those are the times when we realize how much God is caring for us and aware of every detail in our lives. In our times of darkness, his light shines the brightest. Our hope is in Jesus and his promises.

I hope that whatever difficulties you have in your life, you can see God's love shining just for you. And that you find opportunities to pass his love on.