finding Light in winter

“In Your light we see light.” — Psalm 36:9

Winter has a way of shrinking our world.

The cold keeps us inside. The sky is often gray. We move from house to car to building without ever really being anywhere. Creation can begin to feel distant, and with it our sense of connection to the earth, to our bodies, and to something larger than ourselves.

But the natural world is still speaking.

And the light is still returning.

Lately, I have been practicing something simple.

Ten minutes of morning light.

Just ten minutes.

Stepping outside with my coffee.

Standing near a sunny window.

Turning my face toward whatever warmth the day offers.

It is a small practice, but it's changing me.

The light wakes my body.

The quiet steadies my mind.

And something in my spirit remembers that I am part of a living, breathing world, held by rhythms much bigger than my worries or my schedule.

Even in winter, Life is present.

Even in stillness, the world is renewing itself.

Even on gray days, the Light finds its way back. In Light, we begin to see again.

If you are longing to reconnect this season, here are a few Sacred Minutes you might try:

• Step outside for five to ten minutes each morning, even if it is cold.

• Take three slow breaths of fresh air.

• Notice one small thing each day. The shape of branches, the sound of wind, the color of the sky.

• Take a short walk if possible and practice gratitude with each step.

• Let sunlight rest on your face and simply whisper a quiet word of thanks.

• Keep a small natural object nearby as a reminder that you belong to the natural world, not separate from it.

Connection does not have to be big or dramatic.

It can be brief. Quiet. Gentle.

Sometimes ten minutes of light is enough to remind us that we are supported by something steady, life-giving, and enduring.

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A Prayer or Reflection

Source of Life and Light,

In this winter season, when the days feel short and the cold keeps me inside,

Help me remember that I am still connected to the living world around me.

Open my awareness to quiet Beauty.

Help me notice the sky, the air, the changing light, and the life hidden beneath the stillness.

When I feel disconnected or weary,

Draw me into moments of presence, even if only for a breath,

So I can feel warmth, movement, and renewal.

Restore my body with Light.

Renew my spirit with Wonder.

Remind me that even in winter, life is unfolding, hope is growing, and light returns.

May I see more clearly.

May I live more gently.

May I remain connected to the rhythm of life.

Amen.

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This is the first post in a series called Sacred Minutes, small practices to help us reconnect with presence, meaning, and the quiet wisdom found in everyday moments. Sometimes transformation begins with just a few intentional minutes.