I love all seasons of the year

. Coming from Kerala, India; where the only two seasons are Rain & No-Rain, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of the ever-changing seasons.

Most people hate winter. It is Cold and barren. Tree are naked, and bird nest are empty. Grass is brown and fragile. How can I like winter you ask?

Winter is certainly unique. There is something about the white snows of winter that heighten one’s sense of hearing. For example, don't you think it is neat to go outside during a snowstorm and hear the soundless falling snow? And haven't you been outside on a cold winter day and heard ice cracking on a tree branch, or the sound of your feet walking, sounds seldom heard during other seasons of the year. The distinctiveness of winter intrigues me. It is foreseeable yet chaotic. Brightness of any sunny day can be vanquished by the brightness of a snow cover landscape.

Mar. 20, 1:26 PM marked the end of Official 2005-2006 winter season. But this year mother nature had a different idea. Most of Indiana was covered with a blanket of snow a day after the “official” end of winter. I guess the memo got lost in the mail.

Oh sparkling snowflakes gentle and white,
Clothing from heaven, so clean and bright.
Your cold winter cover, is beautiful still,
On mountains, in valleys, on my window sill.

Let me reflect the pure driven snow,
In the winter of life, as God's mighty winds blow.
Snow on my old roof top, let His glory abound.
Heavenly flakes elegantly swirling around.
Oh, I hope to be spotless and blemish free,
Beautifully shining your Spirit in me.

In winter house, may I find the warmth of His fire,
A blessing to others, keep the flaming desire.
Like vibrant holly, with it's shiny red berry,
Ignore chilly blasts, spectacular and merry.
My leaf of life, also will not wither and fade.
Nor joy found in praising my Savior each day.

Oh sparkling snowflakes, gentle and white,
Clothing from heaven, so clean and bright.
Your cold winter cover, is beautiful still,
On mountains, in valleys, on my windowsill.
By Nina Phillips (faithwriters.com)

 

This is my very first attempt at any kind of public writing. I guess I will start of by explaining the name “Gentle Jake”. My last name is Jacob; hence, the second part of my name “Jake”. While in college, when I first realized the power of email, I needed come up with a user ID. My friend Quinn adopted the name BitterQ as one of his email ID and I thought, Hey, BitterJake sounds original. Lo and Behold I became bitterjake .. but I am not a bitter person. so it was time to change the name. I know I am the opposite of bitter, but “sweet Jake” sounded kinda, ya know.. yeah.. that.. So I decided to stick with Gentle. In a way, it pretty much explains what I am.