I know many of you are tired of winter. I hear it every week. Most people want snow around Christmas, but then they are done with it. December is not usually a snowy month in Ohio. Our snow falls mainly in January and February, and I like it. It’s beauty is almost magical.

Today the sun is shining on the snow and it is sparkling. Yesterday, I shoveled and was happy to be outside. Of course there was only about three to four inches, so it wasn’t back breaking. Winter air smells fresh and clean. The snow brightens the night and the winter sky is so clear the stars fill the sky with great beauty. There is no star on a stage that can compete!

I admit I don’t like the shorter days, but more daylight is returning. The darkness keeps me inside more, but that helps me to slow down. I read more, and focus on inside projects. This winter I started painting watercolors again after several years of ignoring my paints. Why now? I told one of my granddaughters I was proud of her for using her musical gift that God had given her. Then I had to look at myself and ask if I was using the gifts God had given me. The truth is, no.

I have been able to draw since I was a child. I learned how to use watercolors as an adult and joined the local art league. I even had a few painting in two local art galleries. Life got busy and my gift was put away. The sixteenth birthday of my musical granddaughter was a reason to paint. I don’t have the words to convey how wonderful it felt to draw and paint again. Drawing was the easy part! I had to work to get the painting right. In fact, I wasn’t happy with it until the fourth time! My sweet granddaughter cried when she opened it. Of course that made me cry!

The point of this story is to encourage you to ask yourself if you are using the gifts God gave you. Winter is a time for reflection and appreciation of the season. We have another month before spring officially arrives. Look for the good things winter provides. Maybe you will rediscover a gift you put on a shelf because life got too busy.