Marilyn's Musings
January 28, 2025
I am sitting here at my desk with the warm, winter sun coming in the window. Warm and winter are two words that just don’t go together (unless there is glass that is doing it’s “thing” making the sun feel warm). I look out at my backyard and see some of the snow patches slowly melting (if that is what they do in 20-degree weather). How many more storms will we get? How many more days will I sit and watch the grass come thru the snow? We are heading into February which, most of the time, is the snowiest month of the winter. Who knows what we are in for in the coming weeks? Unfortunately, we do need “moisture” whether it be rain or snow to help with the drought that we had in the fall. That just doesn’t go away until there is more moisture in the weather. Right now, I know everything is sleeping thru the winter getting ready for the spring.
Winter reminds us we need to take a break, sit and relax, read a good book (we have quite a few books at the Thrift Shoppe for 25 cents) and catch up on a few TV shows. I often think of the popular song by Bette Midler called “The Rose”.
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the The Rose
I decided to do my usual research and check out what the Bible has to say about winter. It is interesting. “The Bible mentions winter and shows God’s hand in making it. Winter represents a season of scarcity and hardship in the Old Testament, reminding us of our dependence on God’s provision and the need for repentance. In the New Testament, winter symbolizes waiting, preparation, and anticipation, pointing to the arrival of something significant1. Genesis 8:22 tells us seasons like winter will always happen as long as the earth is here, and Psalm 74:17 says God created both summer and winter, showing He controls the weather2.”
For a hymn this week I am going with “Pass It On”. I love this hymn and I know I say that a lot. There are so many wonderful hymns to sing the praise and thanks to God. I feel this one is good for this week as we move forward into another month, farther into a new year and not knowing what the future holds. It happens every year at this time while I am sitting here reading the news on the computer and watching the news on TV. But….after a week of being concerned with the world, we have Sunday to come together and worship and listen to God’s word being shared with all of us. He is with us and he asks us to love everyone as He loves us.
Checking out the history of this wonderful song I found out that Kurt Kaiser told the story of how he wrote the words during an interview one day. Check it out: "On a Sunday night I was sitting in our den by the fireplace where there were remnants of a fire, and it occurred to me that it only takes a spark to get a fire going . . . and the rest came very quickly. My wife suggested that I should say something about shouting it from mountain tops, and that ended up in the third verse. It only took about 20 minutes to write the lyrics. Afterwards my wife and I went for a walk, letting the song ruminate in our minds." This song reflects the power of a simple idea set to a singable tune. Such songs take on a life that the composer never considered. Mr. Kaiser notes, "I am always amazed how the Lord can take a little song and use it to reach so many people. It has been sung at countless weddings and funerals, at ordination services, by the Sea of Galilee, in Rhodesia, on the aircraft carrier Enterprise, and lots of camps."
Let’s sing and enjoy it. (Another note – the Thrift Shoppe will be “Passing On” the love of God at our sale next week. We enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones. It is a happy time for all involved.)
“Pass It On”
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=AkHc9dM2VlY&si=MKQ7G3nkc3bgVNfR
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