03/15/2026
I went outside in just a sweatshirt and hung clothes on the line six days ago - feels like a different world today; winter has definitely returned! Perhaps not as welcome mid March as it was mid December, but it is here… As I was gazing out my kitchen window so as not to see the driveway and think about all the work ahead of me, I allowed myself to just get “lost” in the true beauty of my back yard. The bows of the trees are gracefully bending under heavy white blankets, there is an unblemished field of pure white that seems to stretch well beyond my sight, and there is a kind of pureness in the snow still falling in great quantity. It truly is beautiful… Do your best to enjoy the beauty…
As you relax into this unexpected “vacation” from your regular routine, check in on your neighbors who may or may not have been prepared for being snowed in… When this subsides a bit, and it’s time to “dig out”, please remember that those who are able should do their best to help those who are less able. There are good reasons for helping others, first of all it’s just the neighborly thing to do. Helping one another builds strong communities. When you help others, you just feel “lighter” - your help will not only lift your neighbors’ spirits, but yours will be lifted as well.
And helping others is the Christrian thing to do. Hebrews 6:10, (God) will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.; Galatians 6:9, And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.; and one of my “go to” parables, Matthew 25:44-45, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
I pray you are all safe and warm and that you don’t miss the beauty of nature or of community today and in the days ahead.
Blessings,
Pastor Diana
