Ribbons of sunlight and slight patches of blue push through the clouds.  Gray skies, gusting winds, freezing temperatures, and steady, blowing snow have held me hostage.  Nearly four feet of snow fell in less than 48 hours.  The calendar may still say “Autumn,” but the picture outside my window definitely says “Winter.”  The snow clings to every leafless, barren branch.  The cold bites through layers of clothes.

The sunlight and blue sky, while sparse, are comforting.  I close my eyes and whisper “Thank you, Lord, for the sun and blue sky.”

I open my eyes and have to smile at the birds flitting to and from the bird feeders.  Gray, blue, yellow and white dot the snow under the tree, the chickadees, juncos, and goldfinch scratching for seed that has fallen from the feeders.  Mourning doves coo as they strut across the snow, searching for scraps of their own.

A few chickadees have taken refuge on my porch, the swing and rafters their new perches.  One even flutters to the window, perches, and taps a “hello” on the glass with its beak.  Yes, today is definitely a brighter day than yesterday and the day before.

“Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings,” I whisper again as messages of good news appear on my phone.

One is from a friend in South Carolina.  Two days ago, she asked for prayer as wild fires rage through the southeast, burning land, homes, and destroying memories.  Her home is only six miles from a new burst of flame.  “Please pray,” she had asked.  Today, the message is of relief.  “The fire is under control.  Our home is safe, for now.”

The other message is from a missionary friend in Japan.  “Please pray,” had been her previous message as a magnitude 7.3 earthquake had rocked the island.  “We’ve been warned that a tsunami is coming.  Please, friends, pray.”

This new message: “Thank you for your prayers; the tsunami warning has been lifted.”

I smile again as more birds are coming in to make a landing under the tree.  I have no doubt that God knows I love to watch the birds, and He sends them to my yard, to my feeder.  I think it’s His way of saying, “See.  I provide for their every need.  Sometimes the provision comes through your feeder, other times it comes through the seeds and berries on the trees.  Either way their needs are met.  If I take such care of the birds, I will definitely take care of you. Stop worrying about every little thing and just trust Me.”

I also know that the bits of sunlight and blue sky are His reminders that He is with me, even in the storms.  Snow and wind and cold may paralyze the area for days at a time, but God is still with me.  My every need is met.

I can rejoice with my friends who have been spared tragedy.  I can also rejoice in the knowledge that had He chosen to allow the tragedies to strike, He would still have been with them, just as I know He is with me when I face the challenges in my life.

Whether it’s a natural storm or a life-storm, He is with me.  He is caring for me.  He is showing me His glory and might in my life.  He shows me through the every-day and He shows me in the miraculous.  He is showing me each morning and each night that I have His love and mercy, His provision and blessing and that I have every reason to be thankful.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.”  Psalm 9:1