It was a beautiful spring-like day today. A beautiful day to take a walk. The wind was brisk and the sun was warming the earth. My eye caught sight of our resident red tail hawk circling in the sky. I stopped to observe its pattern of movements. The hawk would glide along on the air current and then flap its wings until it again rode within the thermal column of warm air that rose from the warm earth into the surrounding cooler atmosphere. 
I thought, there has to be a lesson in this. I was reminded of Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
We desire to ride the wind of the Spirit so we don’t over exert ourselves. The hawk never stayed in the same place and seemed to keep rising as I watched. We can get into that thermal column, as we read the Word, asking for revelation by the inspiration of the Spirit. He will direct our steps and guide us into the truth. I think of the Father’s love shining through Jesus, the Son, warming our lives so we can do the work in His strength. Those who wait or trust and look expectantly to the Lord will gain new strength. My Bible note says the word gain means ‘exchange’ as used in a change of clothes. So we take off our way of doing things in our own strength and choosing to walk in the grace of God, receiving life-giving energy when we are weary.
Walking in the grace gifts which the Holy Spirit has given us also releases God’s divine energy in our lives. The grace gifts are how we minister and serve others. According to Romans 12:6-8 there are 7 motivational gifts. I learned about these many years ago and it released me to flow in the gifts that were most dominant in my life. These 7 gifts are perceiver, server, teacher, giver, administrator, and compassion. Take a free test to see what your motivation might be. http://www.gifttest.org/.
My main motivation is an exhorter and encouraging people is what gives me divine energy. It is interesting to see how we individually flow in our gifts and how we can learn to love and appreciate each other so that the whole body will be built up. When many eagles circle together in a thermal, they are called a kettle. May we be a kettle or rather the vibrant body of Christ for His honor and glory.
The Comfort in Winter
Opening a jar of tomatoes which were canned in some of the hottest, humid days of summer bring a delightful enjoyment. It’s like eating sun inspired vitamins and minerals.
Frozen strawberries remind me of the weeks in late May and early June when the Earliglow variety are ripe. They need to be picked every other day so that the ripe ones will not rot. I think of family members who helped me pick them. My grandchildren love to help! The older ones pick diligently and the preschoolers put more in their mouths than in their containers. I love it! Two days before our daughter’s wedding my dear brother stopped by the farm and asked what needed to be done. There were ripe berries that needed to be picked to adorn the cupcakes. So we spent time in the strawberry patch together which was a rare occasion.
Delicious tart sour cherries are ripe at the end of June. We have one tree. Thanks to my son who planted it many years ago. Last summer we had a bumper crop. It took me several days to get them picked, pitted, and frozen. Those frozen cherries in my breakfast oatmeal give it a distinctive taste. My husband’s Valentine gift was a sour cherry crumb pie. This week we had cherry cobbler. Ultimate comfort food!
Winter can bring the cloudy, gloomy days and our lives are not always sunny and bright. That’s when we reach into our storehouse of rich Bible verses which give us comfort and inspiration. Psalms 42 and 43 describe times in our lives when the light is not so bright.
The question is “Why are you in despair, O my soul?” and the answer is, “Hope in God, for I shall again praise him. The help of my countenance and my God. “
Psalm 42:8 has brought me through the ‘winters’ when there are more clouds then sun.
“The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night. A prayer to the God of my life.”
The songs that spring up in those dark nights are a comfort for the soul and they give strength to keep going on. When the fruit is ripe ie when the revelation is flowing write it down, preserve it, hide scripture in your heart so it can be on the shelf of your mind ready to open, not only for yourself but for those around you.