Snowed in this morning with 4 inches. Took a winter wonderland walk with my family this morning and planning on some hot chocolate and family game time later. Also working on 2011 planning today. The snow out the window reminds me how important moments of silence are to include in the rhythm of life. I composed “Silence” in February 2002, with this same winter theme on my mind. This reflective melody was originally recorded on Still Waters and a slightly different version is on December Peace.

Have you observed New Year “hurried” look in the faces of people you have seen in your day to day routine? Like everyone else I have been facing more than I can do. All of these new goals and “to dos” have surfaced that weren’t on my list just a week ago! Tonight I get to play the piano to kickoff a series called “Finding Peace in a Hurried World.” I am so looking forward to this because when I sit at the piano I have to be in the moment, receiving the gift of peace. This reminds me to seek this posture in the day to day. Even in the midst of hurry and much to do, God’s peace is there to be received in life’s moments.

I have been meditating on the psalmist’s words “…he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.” (Psalm 78:24-25). This reminds me to look back on 2010 with remembrance and gratitude…for provision, blessings, memories and even the struggles. In the first week of 2011 I have been coming to terms with surrendering the New Year. For me, this means deeper trust, child-like anticipation, sometimes running, sometimes walking, sometimes waiting, and replacing self-sufficiency with dependence on God.