Winter

I can feel winter creeping in.

The cold is increasing. The leaves are falling. The days are darkening.

I am NOT, let me repeat NOT, a fan of the winter months. While I love the holidays and the occasional snow, the cold and dark and yuck of it all wears on my soul every year. I really do not like the cold! And winter is a season I dread.

But the change of seasons always reminds of the wonders of God and the lessons that we can learn from God’s great creation.

As I brace for the winter months, I chant in my head that winter will be but a season and it shall pass. Which in turn reminds me that all struggles and unpleasantries are fleeting as well. The struggles that we face are but temporal. Sorrow will pass. Grief will soften. Pain will fade. Spring will come.

And as we wait, we might as well find joy in the moment, because the moment is what we have.

As I brace for winter, I will try to look forward to hot chocolate and snowflakes—for family gatherings and warm blankets. I will try to give thanks for the heat pump and insulation in my house—for the fireplace and warm slippers. I will try to celebrate the gifts I have been given of comfort (even in moments of discomfort) and of joy (even in the chaos).

Winter always comes….Spring always follows…May we settle in and learn from God’s lessons.