As part of the theme 'struggling is
good for you' I would like to add one more thing. As I am writing
this we are nearing the end of winter. I am so glad that this
winter is over. Spring is in the air and I can feel a sense of
excitement all around me. The birds are singing, new leaves are
coming out, small beautiful flowers are starting to bloom and the
people around me is metaphorically speaking coming out of their
holes. Everyone has a sense of energy filling the air around us,
people are starting to exercise again, the children are playing
outside for longer periods and organizations are getting ready to
hosts functions and carnivals. It is an exciting time. A time to
breathe in deeply and enjoy the life that the Lord so graciously
gives us.
This made me stop and think. Would
we have enjoyed spring so much if there never was a winter? Would
there still be a buzz in the air? Would we feel full of energy
again, if we never experienced the deadness of winter? I don't
think so.
My sister and her husband worked in
the Cayman Islands for 3 years. And those of you that know the
Caymans, know that they don't really have a winter. There are times
when it is a bit cooler than usual, but overall it is warm all year
round. My sister and her husband missed in effect four winters due
to the timing that they went to the Caymans. They came back last
year and this is the first time they had winter again in 4 years.
And I know that they will enjoy this spring with much more
intensity than ever before! They will appreciate the summer again,
much more so than they did in Cayman when all they had was
summer.
We therefore need the winter to
appreciate the summer. We need the winter to feel excited about the
summer. We need it in order to see the leaves sprouting again, we
need it in order to see the growth in nature and we need it in
order to understand things in our lives better. The 'winters' in
our lives hurt, and it is a dreary time, it could be cold and
lonely, but it is sometimes necessary to get us ready to enjoy the
summer time that lies ahead. And if we look at nature, what does it
do in winter? It rests. Maybe we need the 'winter times' in our
lives to come to a standstill and rest. Rest and pray, look up to
God and seek the answers from Him. He will provide you with the
answers you need and He will work into your life what He deems for
your good. And one thing you can be certain of is that spring is
right around the corner!
Lord thank you for the winter times
in our lives. We know it hurts, but thank you that You work all
things together for our good. In Jesus Name. Amen