KIM FURCHES

WINTER

Iam blessed to live in the most beautiful area on God’s creation - Ashe County! My town is named West Jefferson, population approximately 1300 folks, and is known for its friendly people, a community that rallies together when a resident suffers hardship and suffering, loves Friday night football at the local high school, has a church on every corner, grows the most beautiful Fraser Fir Christmas trees of anywhere, and has a climate all its own. The saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather right now, give it a few hours and it will change.” I am fairly certain that quote was authored during the winter months.

You see, our winters can be harsh. Winds, snow, sleet, freezing rain, frigid temps, spring-like temps, flash floods, you name it and we get it in the winter. Now there is beauty in a quiet, serene snowfall. The kind of snowfall that produces flakes the size of silver dollars. The flakes that you can catch on your tongue with relative ease and then in the next moment roll up in a snowball to begin the art form of building a snowman. But all too often these kinds of snowfalls evolve into blizzard like conditions with high winds, bitter wind chills, and the like. The conditions that cause this donkey farmer/shepherdess concern about her livestock. (OK, I am under conviction - not concern, but more like undue stress and worry!)

I am neurotic when it comes to my animals. I want to rescue my animals, bring them in from the storms, and treat them with a little extra grain and water from the spigot, not from the creek where ice must be broken in order to alleviate thirst. I want them protected from the elements of storms. I don’t want them suffering needlessly - no ruffled feathers (hair or wool), as the saying goes. Now, can I protect

them from the storms? Sure I can, but it is at great expense. I could put all 50 animals in the barn together and bar the door. This makes for poor ventilation and extremely deficient hygiene conditions. Immune systems are compromised, crowded conditions produce stress, and stress produces confrontations. My donkeys are capable of unintentionally injuring my sheep if the pecking order is challenged. Finally (and most importantly), God created these animals to thrive outdoors. My daddy always gets me with this question, “How do you think those wild donkeys out west survive?”

So I am learning to trust that the storms will bring no harm to my animals. In fact, these storms actually keep my animals healthy and strong. So it is with God and His children. Of course, He can bring us in from the storms of life but these storms of life teach lessons that nothing else can. Storms help us realize where our true strength is derived. Storms offer us the opportunity to develop a thankful heart. We can appreciate the little blessings in a life with greater enjoyment. We grasp the indebtedness owed to our Savior. We can actually come out of a storm a different person - polished, refined, and renewed to accomplish greater things than ever before.

I desire to be more like Peter when he dealt with a storm (Matthew 14:22-31). I will focus on keeping my eyes on Jesus rather than on the storm before me. Then when the storm has passed I can be grateful that God was holding my hand all along, protecting me and perfecting me for His purpose.

My animals get it; they trust their Master. If only I can grow to trust my Master more. By Kim Furches ~