By Meredith Harber

Snow was falling,

so much like stars

filling the dark trees

that one could easily imagine

its reason for being was nothing more

than prettiness.

— Mary Oliver

Seemingly overnight, we’ve transitioned from our summer playground to our winter lives.

Camping gear gets put away and snowblowers pulled out. The sun is taking longer and longer to crawl out of bed, yet she needs to fall asleep earlier each night. Our hands are suddenly chapped, and we’re amazed at what we find in our “really cold” winter jacket pockets.

And while most of us are saying words that sound negative like, “I can’t believe it snowed already!” or “It’s going to be a long winter!”, our body language reads like it’s a positive thing to have this plush white layer of fluff on the ground.

As much as I resist the single-digit temperatures and the added stress of heating up vehicles and shoveling snow, I find that I am ready for the rest that winter brings. I am ready for the way that snow seems to muffle out some of the extra noise.

I am ready for the way in which warm, wool socks and a cozy blanket make you feel embraced in the best hug. I am ready for the way in which soups in the crockpot make the house smell like love throughout the day and for the sparkle of snowflakes on my eyelashes after playing outside.

We can talk a good talk about how dreadful winter is, but that’s the March or April winter. The firsts of winter are always beautiful, surrounding us with the reminder that just as the Earth is taking its rest, so should we.

It’s the quiet rest that comes with winter that makes this season magical.

Dear friends, I hope you’re able to drive a bit slower, snuggle up a bit longer, bundle up a bit warmer, and delight in the wonder and magic of this place we call home.

Peace,

Pastor Meredith Harber ministers at Christ Lutheran Church, 128 N. Soldotna Ave. Worship is at 10 a.m. on Sundays in person or on Facebook Live.