About the Author

Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books, including Growing Slow. She and her husband live on the family farm, raising crops, pigs, and two humans. She’s a fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. She wants to live life in such a way...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I love this. I love winter, I live in a place where sometimes, the air hurts your face. I can’t tell you why I love the winter so much, but bring on the snow, ice, cold… Reasons to slow down, take it in, bundle up and enjoy that beautiful gift.

    • We are about to get hit with yet another winter storm, and it’s quite possible that this storm will disrupt our travel plans to Mexico. So I am being given the opportunity to practice what I preach about winter! It certainly is an opportunity to let go of control and surrender our plans to God. Thanks for being here!

    • I am not a fan of winter but I too love winter days where I get out and walk and see nature. I praise God for the season even though it is not my favorite. Winter has taught me that it is a slowing down season to rest and reflect as you watch the snow fal and the cold winds blow. I praise God as I see Him in nature even in the cold months of winter. Thank you for your reflection.

  2. Living in the midlands of SC our idea of winter is 3-5 days of temps in the 30s. We rarely get the fun snow just the messy dangerous ice & freezing rain. And we “freeze” when it gets down to 50. Yet we have enough swing in temps to label the changing of seasons. “Winter well” what a great principle! Every season is a gift. May we have eyes to see God’s splendor in each of them! Stay warm, Jennifer. Thanks for your encouragement!

  3. This is such a great reminder and encouragement. We live in Minnesota and it can get so very bitter cold here and yet the Lord God always provides. I’m so blessed to have the warmth of the Lord’s love in my life. Thank you for your kindness in encouraging us daily.

    • Well, hello neighbor! Where in Minnesota? I’m tucked up in the northwest corner of Iowa, about 15 miles south of the Iowa-Minnesota border. I love your state! Stay safe out there. We’ve got another storm coming, as I’m sure you’re well aware.

  4. I love this too. I do live in Michigan where we have real winter, and I love the beauty of the snow, but at this stage of life I enjoy looking at it from the warmth of the inside more than being out in it. I used to love getting bundled up and getting out there. It still feels good if the wind is not too harsh – for a little while. I also like that winters give us a chance to slow down a bit.

    I’m retired now and I’m working on learning how to accept and winter well through this stage of life, not just the weather, but the life changes. I love the description of how Paul used his winter. So beautiful to be who God made us to be wherever we are and in every season. Thank you!

  5. I love winter. I love the snow and the sparking crystals when the sun shines on the snow. I love to find animal paw prints after a snowfall. I live in Maine and, for a few years, in Colorado. I get it! I have a very wise friend who once told me that brutally cold weather and snowstorms are God’s way to remind us to stop, slow down, be still and quiet. This is the perfect time for reflection on God’s creation and for taking care of myself spiritually. As I looked up while writing this, I saw the wild turkeys running through the woods behind my home, made much easier with all the leaves gone.

    I appreciate knowing there are others out there like me who cherish this season. After all, if it is something God created, how bad could it be? Thank you Jennifer!

    • This line, Madeline! “If it is something God created, how bad could it be?” How I love that! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I, too, am seeing so much wildlife and their tracks in the snow. From my window, most days, I see pheasants, bunnies, and deer.

  6. Wow- absolutely beautiful! I have just forwarded this blog to a friend- I know your words will bring peace to her heart! I am going to print your devotional- to reread when my days are cold. Gods blessings upon blessings to you!

  7. This is beautiful, Jennifer! I live on the Oregon coast. We don’t get much snow or cold temperatures here. But lots of rainy, dark days in the winter! I will try to glean the “sparkle” in these days. Thank you!

  8. We live in Indiana. Far enough from Lake Michigan to miss the lake effect. I just journaled how I was surprisingly disappointed that we haven’t had a really good lockdown, stuck together, not going anywhere snow. Just to make us all stop and rest.

  9. Jennifer thank you for what you wrote. We have a Good who made the heavens and the earth. Plus stars that shine at night all the weather. But you know I pray for them that are out in the cold that are homeless. When I have roof over my head. We that are fortunate to have roof over our heads can look out at the cold bad weather were we live. Thank God we are nice and warm and not out in cold like the homeless. That God woke us but to enjoy another day in his beautiful world. No matter what the weather doing out side. I say Amen to that. Thank you again for this brilliant reading Jennifer. Even though in Northern Ireland we don’t get as bad weather as were you live. But we do get snow and ice. But nothing as I said as bad as were you live. I thank full on God for that Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx

  10. Jennifer thank you for what you wrote. We have a Good who made the heavens and the earth. Plus stars that shine at night all the weather. But you know I pray for them that are out in the cold that are homeless. When I have roof over my head. We that are fortunate to have roof over our heads can look out at the cold bad weather were we live. Thank God we are nice and warm and not out in cold like the homeless. No matter what the weather doing out side. I say Amen to that. Thank you again for this brilliant reading Jennifer. Even though in Northern Ireland we don’t get as bad weather as were you live. But we do get snow and ice. But nothing as I said as bad as were you live. I thank full on God for that Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx

  11. Happy Wednesday Jennifer. I live in the Midwest where winter cold hurts my face at times. I do enjoy the warm comforts of a fire, comfy pj’s and cute fussy socks.
    Hope you stay warm and your Mexico trip goes forward. Thank you for your beautiful devotion. ❤ Mary

  12. Totally enjoyed listening to this podcast. Intentional winter….planned by God…what a beautiful reminder to find the beauty and purpose of it!!

  13. I’d never heard the following statement before. “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.” But it’s so True!

    I ❤️❤️❤️ Winter; it’s my favorite season. One reason is clothes. In Summer/when I’m Hot, I can only take a limited amount of my clothes off to Cool Off, & be Decent. But in Winter/when I’m Cold, I can keep adding another layer of clothes or blankets. I’m always Decently clothed.

  14. I love the winter. I live where the temperatures sometimes don’t get above 10 degrees for days and days. I love putting on winter gear and going outside for a walk, even in windchills that are at -50*. There is something about the biting wind on my face, the crunching snow under my feet that is invigorating. I actually hate summer. Yes, most people don’t understand that. It’s just how I was created. I love the slowness of winter, staying home, reading, baking. All the things that the summer doesn’t always allow. There is also something much more cozy about walking into a warm house from the cold than walking into a cold house from the heat.

  15. Stephanie,

    Winter is God’s way of slowing us down a bit after the rush & fun of holidays. Currently wintering in my heart & trying to find ways to winter well. Going to stay positive & look for ALL the good & wonderful things God has blessed me with including a nice sunny day.

    Blessings 🙂