Forget lions and lambs. March is coming in like a polar bear here in my neck of the Midwest.

On Sunday, church was cancelled because of the snow. A day later—16 days until the official start of spring—the temperature app on my phone said it was 0 degrees outside.

My daughters had another “inclement-weather” day off last Wednesday—bringing them up to six for the school year. That same evening, my dad was hospitalized for pneumonia—his third stay at the local medical center in three months. He was released today, but it was touch-and-go there for a while.

I’m so thankful for answered prayers and the peace of God that transcends understanding—without these, I would have been a complete mess last week.

With all the weather closings and hospital visits—plus the fact that Randy and I are doing the Whole30 again and have gone without dairy products, grains and added sugar for four weeks—I haven’t had much time or creative energy to write lately.

Yesterday, though, I read some verses that refer directly to God’s control over the weather, and I thought it fitting to share them here:

“He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.” (Psalm 147:15-18, NIV)

Even as we’re bracing ourselves against the latest effects of the Polar Vortex or longing for relief from seasonal affective disorder, it might help to remember that the many winter weather events we’ve had this year—like all of life—have come at God’s direction.

Will this alleviate our desire for spring to come? Probably not, but maybe it will encourage our hearts to know that the sovereign Lord who controls the heavenly snow machine and the celestial thermostat is the same Savior who cares when we’re hurting and is strong enough to help us through any struggle.

As the psalmist puts it, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:3-5, NIV)

Friends, let’s rest in that, even as we pray for God to stir up the spring breezes and melt away every last trace of winter.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Let’s Have Coffee, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.