This morning, as I was shoveling up a seemingly never-ending pile of dead athel tree roots that have ever-so-annoyingly entangled themselves under what seems like every square inch of our backyard, I overheard a portion of a conversation my mom was having with my 5 (soon to be 6) year old gem of a daughter, Lana. She (being five) and not having a full understanding of the nature of most things, was complaining about the heat of summer (which was incredibly oppressive today I might add) and voicing her longing for spring to come again. I’m pretty sure she would have settled for fall, had she understood how the temperatures of each season work, but regardless, she made her contempt for the summer heat known. My mom was explaining to her that spring was a long way off, and that other season had to come first in order for spring to come again. As Lana threw out a myriad of new questions and my mom patiently and informatively responded to each one, one of my mom’s answers stuck out and kept repeating over and over in my mind, “winter comes before spring.” As this kept repeating over and over in my mind my first thought was, “Duh, of course winter comes before spring.” It was hot, and I was just as opposed to the heat of summer in that moment; but then I began to pray and ask God, why exactly this was standing out to me and what He was trying to speak to me through it. And then, “winter comes before spring…always.” It’s a sort of universal absolute that we witness year after year, but don’t pay much attention to because we understand the way it works and why (for the most part) or at least we think we understand it. It’s like the sun rising and setting; we don’t give it a lot of deep thought because it just happens every day without fail and there’s nothing we can to do change it. The seasons arent as constant as the sun, but they are affected by the sun, and though they may have variables affecting each one, they remain seasons nonetheless and happen every year. We expect them. As I continued talking to God, He reminded me of this universal absolute that is so overlooked most of the time, especially by me over the last few months…OK maybe even last few years. Before new life can begin, there has to be a death to the old life. That’s just the way that it is. I think most of my anxiety, stress, striving, and worry is simply caused by not acknowledging this simple principle. Every year we see the same pattern… Winter, it brings with it cold, gray colors, death to most things green (except of course for Christmas trees and such ), hibernation and migration leave behind fewer animals. Beauty is still present, but it is a harsher beauty. Then comes spring and with it new life, fresh color. The temperatures are warm, inviting, and comfortable. Its beauty is obvious and anticipated by all. And the current season as it stands, summer. It’s hot, a time to be outdoors. Summer is mostly enjoyable and its heat isn’t noticeable at first. At first, we merely feel the warmth of spring gently increase in intensity, but before we know it, the scorching heat of summer is upon us. And then comes fall. Beautiful fall, vibrant colors although in different tones than spring, cooler weather, a much welcomed gift. After the climax of the summer’s heat has taken its toll, what was once green and full of life begins to gently break away as it dies. Until once again, there is nothing left, and winter is upon us once more. Some of us look forward to each new season, knowing that within each one, there are certain pleasures that can only be appreciated in their fullness in that particular season: warm blankets and hot coffee in the winter; shorts and sandals in the spring; swimming pools and beach trips in the summer; and light jackets for the cool breezes ushered in by fall. As I sit here and write down these things that God is so tenderly and graciously speaking to my heart, my prayer is: May we all learn to appreciate the beauty in each season of our life, and find peace and rest even in our preparation for what’s next, knowing that seasons do change. Some last longer than others, some are harsher at times-filled with freak storms even, but another season is always around the corner… May we learn to sing through the barrenness of winter, sing with joy in the new life of spring, sing in the midst of the warmth or intense heat of summer, sing in the fall with thanksgiving for the harvest, and once again and always with thanksgiving …knowing that Our Maker’s plans and thoughts are higher than ours, when all is seemingly dead and barren. “A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3 May God bless ALL of you! And may each of you come to know our Maker in a way that will transform your life, your mind, and your heart…
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:13:56 +0000