All Things Beautiful #1 – Ken Williams

“Life Lived and Lessons Learned, All Things Beautiful!”

Upstate New York Winter…Beautiful?

Winter in upstate New York is cold, gloomy, but beautiful. It was easier to see when I was younger, having more body heat, but still possible. In earlier years the beauty was tobogganing and sledding, cross country skiing, taking my kids downhill skiing and joining others ice fishing, or gathering with others for fun and food. Until recent years I took my grandsons hiking in the woods, teaching them to read animal snow tracks, and following deer trails in the thick. And there is hiking the Bird Song trail in Menden Ponds, including the joy of hand feeding Chickadees.

But really, is walking the dog when the temperature is in single digits beautiful? It depends on how long the dog takes, of course, but appropriate clothing for the activity makes observing the beauty possible. Usually, heavier, insulated garments are normal except when we dressed lighter in cotton garments that breathe while cross-country skiing. It’s fun to hear my winter boots squeaking in fresh snow as if walking on Styrofoam. O.K., but what about glowing cheeks, steaming breath, dripping nose, and cold inflexible fingers? There is always good and bad in life but anticipating turning my back to the penetrating warmth of a glowing fire pit, bonfire, fireplace, or wood stove is beautiful! S’mores are always good but anticipating this simple treat, following a winter’s activity, creates craving, close to an obsession, beautiful!

So, what about hand feeding Chickadees? Winter eliminates some of their natural food sources. Our neighbors provide seeds in bird feeders, practical and kind but not the same. We go to Birdsong Trail in Menden Ponds, here in Monroe County. Our 3^rd oldest grandson taught me to stand still, elevate a handful of seed under a low hanging tree limb, surrounded by thick brush, to allow the tiny, perched chickadee to eyeball me before descending to eat.

Beautiful!

A chickadee swooped, grabbed a seed, and flew before I realized what happened. More dive-bombers tested me, until one landed and stayed. I brought my hand closer to my face, the tiny creature confidently pecked and searched for a preferred seed. Then the surreal captured me, silently a Chickadee arrived and became my sole focus. He scattered the seeds off my hand, exposing my gold wedding band. I closed my eyes and felt the tickle of its toenails. Weightless! Silent. Peaceful coexistence, creature with creature. Unanticipated tears of joy flowed. Upon opening my eyes, I realized I had moved my hand next to my nose. I watched this energized ball of fluff doing 360’s around my hand, vigorously pecking my ring. I said, “You little dude, aren’t you afraid?” He boldly shared this moment of God’s grace with me. Was this a moment of the Garden of Eden where all creatures dwelt together in peace?

Nancy and I fantasize having a blizzard. Beautiful? Yes. We fantasize about our busy lives frozen in place for a day or two. We feel the warmth of our fireplace, books in hands, and sipping mugs of hot chocolate. But this fantasy is blown away by the possibility of suffering poor people and the homeless fellow human beings. Winter’s darkness, a time of floral death, can be depressing. I look for Jesus’ presence in all seasons and see some beauty in winter.

The day between Good Friday and Easter morning was dark. Jesus’ disciples felt defeated as Jesus’ cold, dead, entombed body lay still. But “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death – a light has dawned.” (Isa. 9:2 NIV)

Light has dawned, even in Winter.

Stay tuned for All Things Beautiful – 2

Ken and Nancy Williams served for some 25 years in pastoral ministry, and then almost another 20 years serving and mentoring other pastors.  With the heart of a pastor Ken continues to write and blog from upstate New York where he and Nancy live close to their grandchildren.