The beauty of winter? To be honest with you, Arizona and winter really don’t mix. For years I have complained about living in Arizona and had asked the question: ‘God, why did you plant us here? There are no seasons in Arizona! There is no winter; with cold and snow.’
Sometimes I miss the long evenings. And to be honest with you, the blue sky all the time can get to you. I know, it might sound silly missing the cold winter months, but I used to love sitting with a hot cup of cocoa and a great book, curled up on a chair and read. It is too warm for that here…
But I have come to the conclusion that His ways are much higher than mine and I just have to accept that. Would I have ever returned to the Lord if I would have stayed in Germany? To be honest with you, I don’t know…You see my life was just too busy to hear Him. I know that He had called my name many times, but did I listen? No! He had to up-root me from the life I thought was so important. I didn’t need Him! I was doing fine!
Today, although still missing the seasons, my family and friends, I am very blessed to spend my time doing out-door things during the winter months. I don’t have to worry about shoveling snow, ‘pre-heat’ my car or just do everyday normal stuff because it is winter. God has shown me that He knows what is best for me.
So, think about it this way: don’t fret where you have to spend your winters, you are where He wants you to be.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.”
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
My husband is an Arizona native and he believes Arizona to be a bit better than heaven itself! It’s funny to hear your sentiments compared to his!!
Well, I have to say, the summers are just too cruling here. I could do without them. And they seem to get longer and longer – Yikes!
I with you! I’d miss winter in Arizona. I’m glad God has not called me there.
Still you’re wise to thank Him for the great things He has given, that outweigh the little losses.
Thanks Kim for the kind words. 🙂
I used to feel that way about living in Florida ~ which is odd because so many people come to Florida to escape the winter ~ and I struggled for years to be content. When I began to practice thanking God for letting me live here, my whole attitude changed, and not only am I content to spend most of the winter still in my summer clothes, but I am grateful! And you are so right ~ we are exactly where God wants us to be! Blessings ~ Patricia
While it’s so very easy and sadly common for us to find reason to be discontent with the things over which we have no control, God waits for us to be content in our circumstances before He leads us to the Promised Land He has for each of us.
It’s so very encouraging to see how He is using you to set an example for the rest of us.
Thank you Patricia & Carol for the kind words. You both made me blush. But I believe from the bottom of my heart, that He wants me here for one reason or another.
IHG (In His Grip :))
Eph2810
Thanks Kim for the sweet comment – I hope that you are feeling better. I am about to click over to your blog to read your post about winter. 🙂
You don’t know how this hits home….about enjoying where God has placed you. I grew up in Phoenix, moved away when I was 21 and said I’d never live there again…because of the summers. Well guess what! God is calling my husband to pastor a church there and we will be moving in February…from the Flagstaff area, where we do have winter…but not snow this year.
I was there last week and was enjoying the warm sun, wintering song birds singing and smells of the flowers blooming! Now I’m looking forward to it…just not the summer. =( Gotta work on that attitude s’more.
Thanks!
Christie
Thanks Christie for stopping by…
You know what else came to mind today: “Where else can you grill your steaks for supper in January?” – lol…