The Gift of Snow

A thick blanket of snow covers everything around me. Tucked under my favorite throw with a steaming cup of coffee, I sit in our sunroom, mesmerized by winter’s best show. Seven inches of snow have already fallen, with more on the way.

My children, giddy with play yesterday, came inside rosy-cheeked and full of laughter, warming up with mugs of hot chocolate. My older son, on the other hand, was less enchanted—frustrated with his old car and a work shift that wasn’t canceled despite the weather. My husband and I, immersed in the endless tasks of adulthood—scheduling appointments, taking down Christmas decor, managing finances—kept glancing out the window at the magic unfolding before us.

There’s something about snow that invites stillness. It muffles the world, softening its edges. It feels like an invitation to pause, to reflect, and be.

The Perfect Timing for Rest

This snowfall couldn’t have come at a better time. Just as we begin to emerge from the restful rhythm of the holiday break, poised to dive back into work, school, and the flurry of activity that January brings, the snow arrives—its own flurry—blanketing our schedules with a pause.

It feels like nature’s gentle reminder to continue hibernating, to resist the rush and instead stay in the slower, more reflective pace that the season offers. The timing is perfect for rest, for giving ourselves permission to ease into the new year rather than plunging headfirst into busyness.

The Gift of Rest and Reflection

As I gazed out the window this morning, a thought stirred in my heart: What if this season of dormancy isn’t about doing more, but about being still? Just like the earth rests under the snow, maybe we’re meant to take a cue from nature and give ourselves permission to slow down.

In our fast-paced lives, we often resist rest, feeling like it’s something to earn rather than something we’re inherently designed for. But rest isn’t just about sleeping or doing nothing; it’s about creating space to reflect, to process, and to prepare for what’s next.

The snow outside reminds me that what’s buried isn’t gone—it’s just waiting. Beneath the surface, the earth holds seeds, roots, and potential, all quietly gathering strength for the season to come. And maybe that’s what rest does for us too. It gives us space to recharge, to dream, and to grow in ways we might not even realize yet.

Trusting the Seasons of Life

Right now, the world outside my window looks pristine and untouched. But I know what lies beneath—fallen leaves, uneven ground, maybe even some forgotten toys. The snow doesn’t erase what’s underneath; it simply covers it for a time, allowing it to rest before it’s revealed again.

Isn’t that how life works too? We go through seasons of busyness and growth, followed by seasons of dormancy and stillness. Neither is better or worse—they’re both necessary.

Sometimes, we fight against the dormant seasons, trying to push through or force something to happen. But what if we leaned into them instead? What if we trusted that rest and reflection are just as valuable as action and productivity?

Embracing the Quiet Seasons

As I sip my coffee and watch the snow continue to fall, I’m reminded that we don’t have to have all the answers right now. There’s beauty in allowing ourselves the grace to rest, to let things settle, and to trust that what’s dormant will awaken when it’s ready.

So today, I encourage you to take a moment to pause. Look out the window. Breathe in the stillness. Trust that even in the quiet, there’s growth happening beneath the surface.

This snow, arriving at just the right moment, reminds us that sometimes, the flurry comes not to overwhelm us but to slow us down. What might this season of rest be preparing you for? What parts of yourself feel buried under the snow, waiting to reemerge?

Let’s embrace this time, not as a pause in our lives, but as a vital part of the rhythm. The snow reminds us that rest isn’t the end of the story—it’s part of the beautiful process of growth.