Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God opened up the storehouse in the heavens and blanketed the farm with snow overnight and its beauty leaves me lost for words. If there’s one thing that will slow things down and pause the hustle and bustle of life for a few minutes, it’s a good snowfall in Virginia. Looking out at the beauty of the snow and hearing about all the closings today made me think about the importance of pushing the pause button each day for the Living God. Along with this snow comes the bitter cold too and just stepping out onto the front porch to take in a breath of fresh air was almost too painful even for me. Though stepping onto the front porch was cold and painful, stepping into the Presence of a Mighty God never is. That’s not to say that I never weep and ask for forgiveness or that I’m never ashamed of my Heart – it means that whenever I face Him, in this life or the Next One, in His Presence there is ONLY Good. He IS Mercy, Hope, Joy, Peace, Forgiveness, Compassion, Healing, and Love – all the things you can’t grow to appreciate UNLESS you’re willing to push the pause button to be in His Presence each day. Isn’t it just like our God to use a snowfall in Virginia to speak to my Heart today?

It can be so easy for some people to whine and complain as they distort the Image of God and His Infinite Wisdom, but they miss out on the meaning of Grace and Mercy when they do. Only God knows when He’ll open the storehouse in heaven to bring the snow, and only God knows when it will end. Only God Knows when we’ll “dig” ourselves out and God already Knows if the Journey will be easy or not. Only God gives and takes away. I wonder how many people will complain about how long it’s taking the snow plows to show up as if they are the ONLY ones in need or how many will begin to get antsy as if their food supply will run out before they get out. God says that “the righteous will never go hungry” which means that He already Knows our needs and if we Trust Him, He will fulfill them. In the same way some will begin to complain about the snow the minute the last snowflake falls to the ground, some people look at the Journey of Life with eyes looking for the worst and fine-tuned with fear. Some people live their entire lives complaining about how God has let them down and they’re robbed of the Joy of Faith because of it. They don’t see the beauty in the “snow” and gratitude isn’t a part of their DNA. Knowing that God “hasn’t given us a spirit of fear” means that when we’re feeling fearful it’s time to run back to the One who brings the snow for our Warmth and Peace. It’s time to pause.

Everybody succumbs to fear every once in a while Don’t get me wrong, I fear Him too, but I know that if a little pain comes my way He isn’t trying to crush me, He’s trying to GROW me and I know it’s time to pause for the Lesson. When you look at it that way, there’s no reason to fear pain at all! If He finds that I need a little “discipline” here and there that’s okay, because I know that the Lord “Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If I go through a Season of suffering, I’ll endure it with the right Heart, because His Word says “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” As long as He keeps making me “strong, firm, and steadfast” then I know He’ll continue to use me, so I don’t fear the pain of the snowy Season. I’ve learned to Hold onto Him and Grow through it instead. He is the “Beginning and the End”…the One who “knit me” together in my mother’s womb…the One who “knows every hair” on my head…the One who died for me…the One who has Plans for me…the One who knew me before the foundations of the earth…the One who says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE.” Why would I live in fear of pain from the One who knows my name and CHOSE me to be one of His own?

I began this day with a cold breath of air but I warmed up my Life just by spending Time in the Presence of my God. The world might be a scary place, but I’m not afraid. I might feel a little “pain” here and there, but I’m growing Stronger every day because I Cling to the King, and with Him, there is nothing but Good and never a reason to fear BUT it all begins with a willing pause – being in that place where the one Who opens the storehouse of Heaven in His own time.

How about you?