Is it Spring yet?

A wise man once said:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” **

(and no, it was not Pete Seeger)

I have definitely found this to be true.  We all go through seasons in our lives.  Some are good.  Some are not so good.  When one comes to an end, another one begins.  And so it goes… on and on… (turn, turn, turn).

Right now, while we are literally in the winter season with respect to our weather, I also feel like I am in a winter season in my life.  When people talk about winter, they use words like:  long, hard, cold, dark, lonely.  They say things like:  “I can’t wait for winter to be over!  When will winter end?”  We feel like we have to endure winter in order to get to Spring.  That pretty much sums up how I’m feeling about this season of life I’m in right now.  It’s been a long season – a hard season – a lonely season.  And, I find myself wondering when this season will be over…

But, this season also has me thinking.  There must be some benefit to winter.  Otherwise, why would God have created it?  He said Himself that His creation is good.  So, there must be some good that comes out of the winter season.  And, I realized that there are some parallels between the physical season of Winter and winter seasons in our personal lives.  For example:

• Winter is a time for hibernation (rest).  The bears and the snakes and the hedgehogs curl up for a “long winter’s nap.”  Sometimes we need a season of rest, too.  We’re busy people.  We live busy lives.  Our calendars are full.  And, that’s not a bad thing.  But, it can be hard for us to slow down and say no.  Sometimes God says no for us.  Invitations stop coming.  Opportunities to serve seem to dry up.  It feels like no one needs you – or worse, like no one wants you. But maybe, that’s God’s way of helping you to hibernate – to rest – to renew your strength. 
• Winter helps plants prepare for new growth.  In winter, perennial plants go dormant.  They appear to dry up.  But, that just means they are ready to be pruned to make room for the new growth that comes in the Spring.  It’s the same way in our lives.  Sometimes we need to get rid of the old junk that’s clogging up our minds and our spirits to make room for something new.  It may hurt a little as the old stuff gets trimmed away, but we have to remember that the end result will be something beautiful.
• Winter cold kills the pests and bugs.  While that might not be a good thing if you’re a mosquito, the benefit is pretty clear for the rest of us.  A winter season in our lives is an opportunity to rid ourselves of the external things that plague us:  toxic relationships – bad habits – dead end jobs.  It might hurt to see them “dying” off, but it’s going to be much better for us in the long run.

Yes, a winter season is something to be endured, but it offers unique benefits to those who persevere through it.  While it may be a cold, dark, lonely season, there is also joy to be found as you enter into rest and renewal and restoration.  You may wonder when it’s going to end, but remember – winter always gives way to Spring.  And, with Spring comes new opportunities – new growth – new life.

It’s not always easy to walk through a winter season, but as I’ve begun to change my perspective, I’ve started to recognize some of the beauty that’s only found in winter.  And, I’m still hoping for an early Spring, but until that time, I think that I’ll take my cue from the bears and try to enjoy a long winter’s nap…

** Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8