Gentle snowflakes are falling, swirling, settling as a Colorado weather system blows in from the south.  Hoarfrost is still thick on the trees and power poles from yesterday's fog.  The sky is white, the snowbanks white, the rooftops white.  It looks like it will be a white Christmas for sure!

As we near the shortest day of the year, it seems that our part of the country is dull, dim, and dark.  Evidence of life is covered by this heavy blanket of snow.  The only green that shows is the Christmas trees in many front room windows!  Winter is a season where nature sleeps.

Walter and I have taken a mini-sabbatical these past three months and it feels as though we have taken a season of sleep or rest from our busy schedule.  We have intentionally stepped back from our routines, handed our responsibilities over to capable folks and chosen to NOT read our emails!  It took a few weeks to slow down, to disengage from the fast pace of travel and conferences and to give ourselves opportunity for rest.  Like a blanket settling over us, we have allowed ourselves to be quiet, pursuing hobbies and fun activities.  If I slow down anymore, I may slip into a coma!

But I recall from my high school biology studies that although it appears nature is sleeping - maybe even dead! - beneath the surface the plants and animals are still alive.  Bears hibernate, birds migrate south, insects go dormant.  Flora also goes into states of dormancy.  But although all appears quiet, heart rates slow down and sap becomes still, life is very much present.

Today I read Psalm 52.  David once again is being pursued by enemies and betrayed by those close to him.  He calls out liars and deceivers!  He is upset by the unrighteousness of evildoers!  And then in verse 8, David slows his rant, almost like his eyes were roving over the landscape, and his attention is drawn to an olive tree.  He says, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.  I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever."

It is like God blankets the turmoil around David and covers the raging inside David's mind and heart.  The only thing David can see is the picture of an olive tree, green and alive.  He imagines its green leaves, solid trunk, and maybe even the fruit forming on the branches.  Strong and healthy roots give this tree its grounding.  

I think Walter and I have felt somewhat like David, pulled in many directions and aware of the many issues and responsibilities of our leadership roles.  As God has slowed us down, we have been in a season of hibernation and wonder if we are going to see life and activity again!  But David's words resound in our hearts as we have been strengthened in our roots, being reminded that our trust is in the steadfast love of God.  The ceasing from regular work has given us time to renew.  We trust that the necessity for rest will result in a more fruitful season when we resume our ministry in the new year.

John 15:2b "...and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  

How wonderful that we will wind up our break with Christmas celebrations and begin the New Year with God's presence going before us!