January Recs | finding beauty in winter + my book cover!
learning to savor the slow down
As I write this I’m struck by the beauty that surrounds me. The bright red amaryllis in the dead part of winter. The snow covered roof across the street against the blue sky. My mother in law’s paintings of flowers from my garden hang in one corner of the room while their shriveled flower heads sit in another. There is beauty even in desolate places.
I want to remember this, because I don’t know about you, but this is the hardest time of the year for me. All the twinkling lights have been unplugged. My once sparkling living room feels empty now. We just went from singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” to feeling like it’s the least wonderful time of the year. I lean into Valentine’s day in February because we all need a little red and pink in our lives when everything around us feels so…brown, grey, dead.
In
’s book A Bit of Earth, she talks about how there is beauty even in the season of winter—how it’s a time of rest and reprieve from our work. As a cut-flower hobbyist, I can’t help but think about my ranunculus and anemone corms tucked away in darkness, and my zinnia seeds waiting for their chance to grow after the first frost. My dahlia tubers are in the bottom drawer of my refrigerator as we speak (you gotta make do with what you have). I relate to all of them.I’m waiting to be warmed by the sun again, too. But for me, unlike them, there’s growth even now in the waiting and in the resting. And there’s goodness here too.
Last summer I was as busy as the bees tucked into my snapdragons. I cultivated and worked the ground. I waged war on fungus and killed pests. Some nights, I would put my kids to bed and go back out to finish my work. I miss having flowers in every room of my home—even my house feels a little more barren in winter without them. But I’m also enjoying this time of forced slow-down. I’m playing magnatiles with my boys on the floor and doing puzzles on a Saturday afternoon. I’m watching the snow fall and drinking a latte with a book in my hand. I’m taking a breath. Learning to savor the slow down. Remembering how it points me to my ultimate rest in Christ.
—Brittany
These words though:
“Sorrow teaches us to resist trite views of what maturity in Jesus looks like: Faith is not frownless Maturity is not painless.” — Zack Eswine
I am SO excited to finally share that my book, Lost Gifts: Miscarriage, Grief, and the God of All Comfort is available for preorder! It releases July 23rd, but you can purchase it now through Amazon or Lexham Press (at a discounted price currently). Even if you’ve not experienced miscarriage, I believe you will be encouraged in the love of Christ and his comfort in all our suffering. I hope it serves you.
Recent Articles, Essays, + Poems:
Always Behind on Substack
That Time I Signed a Book Contract with Moody on Substack
The Crushing Weight of a Wrong Identity on Core Christianity
A Pure Heart in a World of Passions: The Seventh Commandment on Core Christianity
From the Archives:
Will My Husband Think I’m Still Attractive as I Age? on the blog
Note: I do not endorse any of the following books, nor do I agree with or promote everything in them.
Books I Finished:
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy J. Keller
This is one of the best books I’ve read on suffering. I can’t recommend it enough.
Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn
I had so many mixed thoughts on this one. Great writing. But it also left me sad and a tad discouraged.
Murder at the Mansions (High Society Lady Detective, #7) by Sara Rosett
I will be so bummed when I have no more books left to read in this series. It’s just delightful and clean. Great for bedtime reading.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
I am refusing to feel guilty about the fact that I gave up on this one about 60% through. Even though I was super interested in the Vietnam storyline, I just had so much trouble liking the characters enough.
Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zack Eswine
I’ve always been so encouraged by Spurgeon’s story of suffering with God. This book is a wonderful little book for those battling depression.
Habits for a Sacred Home by Jennifer Pepito
I enjoyed listening to this one while I did housework. A great reminder of finding joy in the mundane.
Current Reads:
Gospel Mom by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
A Bit of Earth by Andrea Burke
Saved by Nancy Guthrie
He Gives More Grace by Sarah Walton and Kinda Green
Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry
A Quiet Mind to Suffer With by John Andrew Bryant
What I Recommend:
Song: The Sower’s Song by Andrew Peterson (This on repeat until Spring)
Children’s Book: Your Amazing Hands by Abbey Wedgeworth
Substack:
Articles, Poems, and Essays I Liked:
Row by Row by
Don’t Trip by
What I’m loving lately (*some affiliate links):
- If you get migraines, you may like this ice roller. It’s really soothing. I use it on for my jaw and neck too!
- Okay, hear me out. It’s hard to find a good pair of underwear. I bought these when I was pregnant with my second son but I just bought some new ones because I will never go back now. They are SO comfortable.
- I found a shacket in my colors (I’m a summer) and it’s exactly what I was looking for. I love the cropped look.
Life Lately:
I got my first ever author pictures done and it was super fun!
We had a truly wonderful Christmas with the boys. So thankful.
We’ve been enjoying the snow as much as possible. These boys are growing up way too fast.
The snow is so breathtaking I can’t even begin to capture it. I tried anyway.
I’d love to hear about you! What is a book you’ve read recently that you loved or a recipe you’ve been devouring? Tell me in the comments!
May you treasure Christ ever more. <3
Brittany Lee
Lovely! So nice to meet you on Substack! Great book recommendations and congratulations on your book. May God’s Name be Famous for His redemption! Ruth 4:14.
That book from Zack Eswine is pure gold. Loved it.