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Just this week, the groundhog saw his shadow. That means we will have another six weeks of winter if the folklore holds true.
I really hope we do.
Why? Because at least where I live, we haven’t had much winter yet and I need some.
Scripturally speaking, winter was a quieter time. In the New Testament, several references during Paul’s journeys mention having to stay put in the winter because the seas and mountains were not navigable. In the Psalms, winter is called one of the boundaries of the earth. And in Genesis, God says that “as long thee day as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”
Historically speaking in the U.S. winter had a peace about it as well. As long as one had prepared the dried and canned food stocks and had a decent supply of firewood and coal, the snow could fall and pile up and one could “weather” it out until spring.
Physically and spiritually, we need such winters. We need shorter days and longer nights to force us to rest. We need adverse temperatures to keep us huddled indoors—reading next to the firelight or catching up on crafts like knitting and whittling.
Winter is a time of quiet.
Unfortunately or fortunately, technology allows us to escape winter, and all other seasons really. Our furnaces (and air conditioners) keep us at a steady temperature. Electricity lengthens the day to whatever time expanse we wish. No longer are we forced to submit to winter’s cold and lack of light. In other words, our pace never slows, our routine doesn’t change with the seasons.
This past week, in honor of forced rest and a break from to-do’s, Gary, Karl and I said adieu to all responsibilities and went to the auto show for the day. We sat in dozens of cars, walked around the exhibits and talked. So while it wasn’t hibernating in a cave, it was an intentional separation from routine and effort towards quiet. Was it quiet at the show? Not really. But yet it was. The sounds and demands of the world outside were stilled for a while and we could just be… and be with each other.
Since the groundhog has declared six more weeks of winter, I challenge us all to seize and treasure moments of true winter. Let us live in the stillness that God grants and prepare our souls for the new life to come.
Musing About the Original Language
2/20/2019 8:17:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Favorite Poet
2/13/2019 8:11:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Favorite Chapter of Proverbs
1/30/2019 7:14:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Wrestling with God
1/23/2019 7:14:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
You Can't Always Win
1/16/2019 5:45:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream... Perhaps to Write
1/9/2019 11:16:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Balance in the Notes
1/2/2019 7:52:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Choosing to Begin
12/27/2018 5:23:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Christmas Letter 2018
12/19/2018 8:56:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Hidden
12/12/2018 8:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Celebrate Advent!
12/6/2018 8:30:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
In Gratitude to a Kind Stranger
11/28/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Thankful Moments
11/21/2018 1:14:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Brave Life
11/14/2018 11:41:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Need to Do
11/7/2018 10:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Week that Makes Me Remember Mom
10/31/2018 5:06:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Trying to Understand a Just God
10/24/2018 1:10:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Our Limited Perspectives
10/17/2018 3:46:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Hope
10/10/2018 3:52:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Grieving through the Eyes of Eternity
10/3/2018 3:30:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
(Re) Learning to Scream
9/25/2018 7:46:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Hurricanes and Other Storms
9/15/2018 10:26:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Trusting God Doesn't Come Easy
9/7/2018 3:02:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Walk of Life
9/1/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Escaping Life Under the Sun
8/24/2018 10:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why I Know There is a Hell
8/18/2018 7:35:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
What I Can Do
8/10/2018 4:10:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Non-writing Writing
8/3/2018 10:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Thoughts on Forgiveness
7/28/2018 1:28:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Of Mice and Fragile Clay
7/21/2018 3:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Farewell to the Teenage Years
7/6/2018 7:45:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Living Free
6/30/2018 9:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Reminiscing
6/22/2018 1:32:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Writer's Tribute to Honest Guys
6/15/2018 2:36:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
In Balance
6/10/2018 9:35:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning from Tabitha
6/2/2018 6:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Still Learning to Breathe
5/26/2018 9:01:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
To Breathe
5/19/2018 5:30:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Sisters, Mothers and Dear Women
5/13/2018 6:55:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Tied to the Electrons
5/6/2018 8:08:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Powerless
4/29/2018 8:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Sestina Education
4/23/2018 7:48:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Remodeling
4/15/2018 8:55:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Promote
4/9/2018 7:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Nobody's Fool--An Easter Sestina
3/31/2018 9:44:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Week Leading to Easter
3/25/2018 9:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Off-balance
3/18/2018 9:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from the Hyacinth
3/11/2018 9:06:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Plant Lessons--The Aloe
3/4/2018 7:37:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Lessons the Birds Teach Me
2/25/2018 10:59:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Love... By Any Other Name
2/17/2018 11:11:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Ongoing Task of Learning
2/4/2018 1:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Musings About Pain
1/29/2018 1:18:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Time to Breathe
1/21/2018 7:32:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Poem a Day
1/13/2018 7:52:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Beginnings
1/6/2018 10:36:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why the Gospel of Luke Speaks to Me Best
12/29/2017 10:31:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Christmas Letter
12/21/2017 5:51:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Revisiting Anna
12/9/2017 10:04:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Twas the Night
12/1/2017 2:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Quitting
11/25/2017 6:10:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Wonder of a Shoebox
11/18/2017 9:36:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Place to Hide
11/11/2017 3:13:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Thoughts on the Reformation
11/4/2017 9:04:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons in Praise
10/28/2017 5:23:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why I Love Fairy Tales (and It Probably Isn’t What You Think)
10/21/2017 8:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
For Better, For Worse
10/14/2017 5:32:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Practicing Functional Fitness
10/7/2017 5:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Tired
9/30/2017 3:50:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Priorities
9/23/2017 10:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching Other People's Kids
9/16/2017 8:02:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Crunch Time
9/9/2017 3:47:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
At War With ... Myself
9/2/2017 5:47:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Prepping for the School Year
8/26/2017 9:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Overweight, Part Three
8/19/2017 6:37:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Overweight, Part Two
8/11/2017 8:28:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Overweight
8/5/2017 1:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Creating Worlds
7/28/2017 8:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Prepping to Attend a Christian Writers Conference
7/20/2017 10:15:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Karl Lessons
7/7/2017 3:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
How I Learned the Feeling of Freedom
7/3/2017 7:37:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning from Marriage
6/24/2017 5:51:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
What I Learned from my Dad
6/17/2017 9:00:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from Being Sick and Tired
6/11/2017 9:00:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Worst Critic
5/26/2017 3:42:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
May Birthday Tribute
5/20/2017 9:03:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Mom
5/13/2017 3:44:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Mom
5/13/2017 3:44:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning Honesty
5/6/2017 6:46:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Tribute to my Husband
4/22/2017 5:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Celebrating the Resurrection
4/15/2017 3:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Your Custom Tract
4/8/2017 1:22:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
March Birthday Tribute
3/29/2017 8:24:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Tribute to Grandparents
3/11/2017 8:08:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
God as Our Rock
3/4/2017 7:45:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
February Birthday Tribute
2/18/2017 8:01:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Writing, Living and Existing
2/11/2017 9:43:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning from the Groundhog and the Auto Show
2/4/2017 8:55:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
January Birthday Tribute
1/28/2017 8:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Of Christmases and January Past
1/21/2017 1:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Welcome 2017!
12/31/2016 3:22:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Our Christmas Letter
12/23/2016 9:31:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
NaNo and Pebble Lessons
12/16/2016 10:40:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
December Birthday Tributes
12/5/2016 10:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
NaNoWriMo Lessons and Hopes
11/18/2016 3:34:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My November Birthday Tributes
11/11/2016 9:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons of the Week
11/4/2016 5:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Speak Feline
10/28/2016 1:59:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
On Changed Hearts, Changed Minds and Politics
10/21/2016 7:00:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
October Birthday Tribute
10/12/2016 5:22:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Words and the Word (Part 2)
10/2/2016 8:20:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Words and the Word (Part 1)
9/26/2016 9:11:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Questions of Pain
9/18/2016 9:34:23 PM by: Susan Lyttek
September Birthdays
9/11/2016 4:03:50 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Standard Rescue, part 2
9/3/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Standard Rescue, part 1
8/27/2016 4:59:44 PM by: Susan Lyttek
How to Go Into Debt
8/19/2016 4:44:52 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Difference Hope Makes
7/30/2016 9:23:22 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why Teach Poetry?
7/24/2016 7:26:09 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from My Color Bible, Part 3
7/15/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Blog-itis
7/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Reminiscing with the Patriot
7/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons in Fear
6/30/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from My Color Bible, Part 2
6/10/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Leftover Queen, Part II
5/27/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Leftover Queen
5/20/2016 9:39:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from my Color Bible
5/12/2016 4:40:02 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Living As Called
4/22/2016 10:37:35 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Making Writing Fun Again
4/15/2016 12:52:15 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Springing
4/6/2016 6:26:30 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Good Friday Thoughts
3/26/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Confessions of a Delinquent Blogger
3/23/2016 8:42:49 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Accepting the Gift of Free Time
2/29/2016 7:45:10 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Rest vs. the Type-A Female
2/22/2016 3:43:20 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons on Sickness and Rest
2/14/2016 9:09:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Sick Lessons
2/6/2016 11:17:24 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Blocked
1/27/2016 11:11:44 AM by: Susan Lyttek
When Inspiration Fails to Strike
1/16/2016 9:32:15 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Stumbling Into the New Year
1/13/2016 11:02:06 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Annual Christmas Letter
12/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Parent: Help with Work
10/31/2015 10:50:23 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Home
10/24/2015 4:55:48 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Benefits of Unscheduled Free Time
10/16/2015 8:03:39 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: More Empathetic
10/9/2015 7:46:24 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: More Empathetic
10/9/2015 7:39:56 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Parent: More Willing to Persevere
10/2/2015 8:50:54 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Closer to God
9/25/2015 8:33:01 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: More Intuitive
9/18/2015 7:07:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent--Weaker
9/11/2015 7:42:33 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Parent--Seeing God's Hand
9/4/2015 9:59:53 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Savvy-er
8/28/2015 6:49:31 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Braver
8/21/2015 7:34:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Wiser
8/14/2015 7:33:44 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Smarter
8/7/2015 7:31:13 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits of Being a Homeschool Parent (Intro)
7/31/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from my Great Aunt Ansie
7/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Virginia Writers Conference
7/14/2015 11:43:28 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Relearning Fitness (Part 2)
7/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Some Truth About Independence Day
7/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Relearning Fitness (Part 1)
6/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Under the Sun
6/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Lesson I Keep Needing to Re-Learn
6/13/2015 9:17:18 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Times of Transition
6/6/2015 8:43:26 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Blog Ideas
5/30/2015 7:06:10 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Mercs Next Door, Part 2
5/23/2015 7:36:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Mercs Next Door, Part 1
5/15/2015 9:00:41 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Getting to Mom
5/9/2015 9:32:42 PM by: Susan Lyttek
To Blog or Not to Blog
5/2/2015 9:57:39 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Driving Lessons
4/25/2015 2:01:36 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Gaming Education
4/18/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Fast Lessons
4/11/2015 7:37:50 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Resurrection Thoughts
4/4/2015 6:47:45 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Power of the Coupon
3/28/2015 6:18:32 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Spring Planting
3/21/2015 7:36:53 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Showing My Age
3/14/2015 7:51:06 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching Women
3/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Beware the Ides of... February
2/28/2015 1:10:50 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Honoring a President in Fiction
2/21/2015 7:35:35 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Gratitude Lessons
2/14/2015 7:12:56 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Pros and Cons of Research
2/6/2015 8:13:38 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Off the Hamster Wheel... Part 3
1/30/2015 9:01:50 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Off the Hamster Wheel... Part 2
1/24/2015 7:55:59 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Homeschool Hamster Wheel
1/16/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Etiquette Education
1/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Ready Stance
1/2/2015 7:01:43 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Our Christmas Letter
12/26/2014 8:36:08 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Sharing Christmas, Part Two
12/19/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Sharing Christmas
12/12/2014 5:32:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Swedish Christmas Education
12/5/2014 10:08:38 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Worry/Grumble Antidote
11/28/2014 11:07:16 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Milestone Days
11/21/2014 9:58:07 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Volunteer Education--via Operation Christmas Child
11/14/2014 8:32:03 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Veteran Education
11/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Reformation Education
10/31/2014 8:51:31 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Reluctant Vegetarian
10/24/2014 2:55:59 PM by: Susan Lyttek
What I Didn't, Couldn't Teach
10/17/2014 4:30:17 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Stand
10/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Christian Work Ethic
10/3/2014 6:36:19 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Animal Education
9/26/2014 10:54:19 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Changing the Love of Learning
9/19/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Blog Block
9/12/2014 9:50:31 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Educating Mom
9/5/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Debate
8/29/2014 7:22:59 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Interview with Jane, a non-homeschooling friend
8/22/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Homeschool Rebel
8/15/2014 8:11:24 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Other Countries, Other Peoples
8/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
George Washington Lessons
8/1/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Interview with Heather Day Gilbert
7/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Creation Education
7/18/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Blessing of the Church
7/11/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Free to Homeschool
7/4/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Best Thing
6/27/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
School Lite
6/20/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschooling Poetry
6/13/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschool Preschool
6/6/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
AWANAcation (or Awana Education)
5/30/2014 4:40:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Drowning in the Ideal Schedule
5/23/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Penpal Encouragement: An Interview with Sandi
5/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Unexpected Education
5/9/2014 8:31:18 AM by: Susan Lyttek
When Is a Homeschool Mom NOT a Homeschool Mom?
5/2/2014 8:08:10 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Relax, It's Just Writing
4/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Purpose Driven Homeschool
4/18/2014 9:38:10 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Heart of the Music
4/11/2014 3:11:23 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Music Lessons
4/4/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching My Testimony (Part 2)
3/28/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching My Testimony (Part 1)
3/21/2014 8:16:29 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Glimmers of Homeschooling
3/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Failed Days
3/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Other Side of the Homeschool Table...Leanne Hanson
2/28/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Fairy Tale Theology
2/21/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Things I Love about Life and Homeschooling
2/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Limitless Creativity by Bonnie Rose Hudson
2/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Weaving Christ into Math
1/31/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Paula Mowery Interview
1/24/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Historic Field Trips
1/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Snow Days... Homeschool Style
1/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschooled Mom Resolutions
1/3/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Off Schedule
12/27/2013 11:17:52 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching Christmas
12/20/2013 10:24:16 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The (Writerly) Benefits of Learning Together
12/13/2013 2:11:46 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschooling reinforced that I am not perfect
12/6/2013 11:33:13 AM by: Susan Lyttek
And they said homeschooling would be easy...
11/29/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
