Winter has a way of slowing us down. The cold air makes us breathe deeper and step into a world that feels quieter, calmer, and hallowed. Frosted trees, crisp air, and the soft hush that blankets the earth all call us to pause, reflect, and reconnect.
This December, I want to issue a challenge—not just a physical one, but a spiritual and emotional invitation: step outside, embrace the season, and let the beauty of God’s creation speak to your soul.
I challenge you this month to explore. Take a hike, not just a casual stroll, but an intentional walk where you truly notice what God has placed around you. Leave the noise behind: the emails, the buzzing phone, the to-do list. Out there, the only rhythm is the crunch of soil under your shoes, the wind in the trees, maybe the distant call of a bird. In those quiet moments, you’ll find yourself alone with God and His creation, and you may be surprised at the peace that quietly finds you.
Last winter, I had the extraordinary gift to go hiking with my dear friends, Dr. and Mrs. Maricle, in Yosemite National Park. If you’ve never been there in winter, it’s almost impossible to describe. Towering granite cliffs gleam with majesty, waterfalls cascade with icy edges, and meadows of tall pine trees blanketed in snow. Even the air feels wonderful—crisp, clean, as if dropped from Heaven. Every step along the trail slowed me down. I wasn’t rushing or talking much; I was marveling at God’s handiwork I would normally overlook— the intricate frost patterns on leaves, sunlight flickering through pine needles, and the hush that seemed to settle over the valleys like a blessing.
Winter hiking isn’t just about scenery—it’s about discovery. You learn more about the world around you, and more about yourself. The cold bites at your cheeks, the wind tugs at your coat, and yet, with each breath, you feel alive in a way that the comfort of warmth cannot match. You discover a courage you didn’t recognize you had, gratitude for small moments, and the joy of simply being present with God. If you happen to share the trail with a friend, as I did with the Maricles, you also realize how deep friendship can grow when you walk together, exploring God’s beautiful wonders.
This December, find your own winter trail. It doesn’t have to be Yosemite. It could be a park near your home, a snowy path through the woods, or even a quiet country road. Leave the distractions behind. Take nothing with you but open eyes and a curious heart. Notice what you see, what you hear, and permit yourself to be still. As you walk, you may find yourself growing more thankful, more reflective, maybe even changed in small ways you didn’t expect.
Nature has a way of teaching us. What seems quiet and empty is really full of life. Bare trees are alive with squirrels and birds, streams still flow beneath the ice, and if you listen carefully, the silence itself becomes a quiet hymn of praise to God.
So, this December, put on your hiking boots and step outside. Embrace the winter wonderland around you. Let the sights, sounds, and stillness of the season speak to you. Be in awe of God. Let the peace remind you that even in the cold and calm, you are alive with purpose, dearly loved, and part of something gloriously beautiful.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
This December, I want to issue a challenge—not just a physical one, but a spiritual and emotional invitation: step outside, embrace the season, and let the beauty of God’s creation speak to your soul.
I challenge you this month to explore. Take a hike, not just a casual stroll, but an intentional walk where you truly notice what God has placed around you. Leave the noise behind: the emails, the buzzing phone, the to-do list. Out there, the only rhythm is the crunch of soil under your shoes, the wind in the trees, maybe the distant call of a bird. In those quiet moments, you’ll find yourself alone with God and His creation, and you may be surprised at the peace that quietly finds you.
Last winter, I had the extraordinary gift to go hiking with my dear friends, Dr. and Mrs. Maricle, in Yosemite National Park. If you’ve never been there in winter, it’s almost impossible to describe. Towering granite cliffs gleam with majesty, waterfalls cascade with icy edges, and meadows of tall pine trees blanketed in snow. Even the air feels wonderful—crisp, clean, as if dropped from Heaven. Every step along the trail slowed me down. I wasn’t rushing or talking much; I was marveling at God’s handiwork I would normally overlook— the intricate frost patterns on leaves, sunlight flickering through pine needles, and the hush that seemed to settle over the valleys like a blessing.
Winter hiking isn’t just about scenery—it’s about discovery. You learn more about the world around you, and more about yourself. The cold bites at your cheeks, the wind tugs at your coat, and yet, with each breath, you feel alive in a way that the comfort of warmth cannot match. You discover a courage you didn’t recognize you had, gratitude for small moments, and the joy of simply being present with God. If you happen to share the trail with a friend, as I did with the Maricles, you also realize how deep friendship can grow when you walk together, exploring God’s beautiful wonders.
This December, find your own winter trail. It doesn’t have to be Yosemite. It could be a park near your home, a snowy path through the woods, or even a quiet country road. Leave the distractions behind. Take nothing with you but open eyes and a curious heart. Notice what you see, what you hear, and permit yourself to be still. As you walk, you may find yourself growing more thankful, more reflective, maybe even changed in small ways you didn’t expect.
Nature has a way of teaching us. What seems quiet and empty is really full of life. Bare trees are alive with squirrels and birds, streams still flow beneath the ice, and if you listen carefully, the silence itself becomes a quiet hymn of praise to God.
So, this December, put on your hiking boots and step outside. Embrace the winter wonderland around you. Let the sights, sounds, and stillness of the season speak to you. Be in awe of God. Let the peace remind you that even in the cold and calm, you are alive with purpose, dearly loved, and part of something gloriously beautiful.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
