This One's Goshawk
The middle of March is near. Winter has been the season without choice since last November. With a lifetime of winter experiences the early to mid-winter season is manageable. We’ve experienced storms, closures because of them, changes in travel plans, being stranded, and of course-shoveling. The first months of winter we endure and sometime enjoy. It is in the final weeks of winter that we come to a time near the end of winter we call “DONE WITH.” We have arrived now. The groundhog saw its shadow. But count that out, we always have six more weeks of winter where we live. Winter fatigue is normal for this period at the end of the season.
Today we are living in another winter storm. Meteorologists name hurricanes. I name winter storms. It is an easy way to gauge the severity of a winter. Today’s storm is number 7. It’s name: “Goshawk.” A Goshawk is an amazing bird. A description of this hawk fits this storm, the Goshawk is a bigger, fiercer, wilder relative of the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks that prowl suburbs and backyards. This storm is bigger, fiercer and wilder than a simple winter snow event.
Why is Goshawk is a good name? There will be more than 5 inches of snow for me to shovel when Goshawk finally moves to the east. While the east wind is not blizzard force it drifts snow steadily into piles towards the west. The air hums with the steady push of wind-blown snow. There is a smoky white look to the neighborhood. Even the busy humans around us are staying inside. There is little traffic. Other than blowing snow there is little movement. Only the chickadees maintain their regular short flight hops to the bird feeder.
A Minnesota winter storm…in mid March!
While our enjoyment of winter may be wearing thin, the beauty of winter and winter storms never becomes repetitive. No event in nature contains more power and mystery than a winter storm. Goshawks are mysterious hawks. This storm has power…and there is mystery in that. How does a winter storm become so powerful-strong wind with snow lasting for hours? It’s power can stop the churning wheels of economy. Major roads are closed to our west. No human has such power. Winter storms are humbling. We feel our powerlessness. There is beauty in power.
There is beauty in every aspect of a winter storm. No I do not have cabin fever…I am not snow blind either. There is beauty in the sound of the wind. There is beauty in witnessing the entire outdoor landscape becoming white with the distant view completely blocked in a wall of white. There is beauty in the ballet of snow driven by wind. Wind driven snow flies, it floats, it ebbs in swirling currents and when it lands, snow crystals give testimony of their Creator.
Yes, the final attribute of a winter storm is the stamp of its Maker. A winter snowstorm is clear evidence that God’s power is ultimate, over all and never changes. God creates every crystal, organizes every current of winter storm wind and sets the exact duration of the storm. He directs how many inches will fall and which areas of our region will receive a dusting and which will receive measurable snow. This is His world. Everything in it is under His authority…including me and you.
What is the purpose of a snowstorm? Snow physically hydrates the earth. God directs that. And a snowstorm reminds us WHO is in charge. Nothing happens to you or me that God does not permit or direct. God’s word stands forever. By His word, this snowstorm was created. Yes, we can understand this truth in a snowstorm named aptly named Goshawk.