Winter in Aberdeenshire is simply stunning.
These photos were taken in December of last year.
The Mither Tap, as seen from Pittodrie Estate, is stunning at any time of the year, but the low winter sun adds to the already beautiful scene.
This was taken at lunchtime on December 14th, so you can see that the sun doesn't rise too highly in our sky during the winter months.
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Niseach loves the snow.
But when you throw a snowball and she excitedly runs for this ball, only for it to disappear, she appears somewhat perplexed at its disappearance.
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This week, just as many were expecting Spring to, well, spring, our winter was extended. This past week has seen the weather pattern named The Beast from the East arrive in the UK. England ground to a halt - little pets - while here in the North, we simply savoured the beauty once again.
I took these photos yesterday from our front door. No, I wasn't venturing any further right then, though I thoroughly enjoyed a walk later in the day.
It was so peaceful and serene after the snow shower .....
...until Niseach arrived on the scene.
'Peaceful and serene' are not words that readily come to mind where Niseach is concerned.
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Robins are always a delight, and we scattered seed here in our window basket to encourage this lovely fella to come visit often. He did, and we loved to see him every time.
(btw, the 'artwork' on the window panes is not grime or dirt, nor is it due to a lack of cleaning. This window sill is Niseach's favourite afternoon seat, and so the artwork is solely her doing. I knew y'all wanted to know that.)
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The following two photos were taken today, March 2nd.
I guess the extended winter reminds us that there are times in our lives when we expect certain seasons of our lives to pass, but God has different plans.
Maybe we expected to be out of Winter and into Spring already, but God has extended our Winter season for another while.
He will move us into another season in His time. His timing is always perfect. And there is always beauty to be found just where He has placed us.
At times like these, all we can do is
'wait on the Lord, be of good courage (Psalm 27:14),
'be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), and
'rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him' (Psalm 37:7)
The next season will come. Meanwhile, it is our delight to love Him, trust Him, rejoice in Him, and rest ....
"Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
One day, all our earthly seasons will have passed, and if we are in Christ, we will be called Home to our eternal rest. There will be no spiritual winters in our eternal Home!
