Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013

Winter is beautiful, but it gets so little love from so many. Everyday I hear the refrains, “When will this cold end?” “I can’t wait for spring!” “I have to get out of here.” The last week or two, all complaints have focused on the cold and fog—this blanket that has settled in the valley, turning street lights and night-time tree branches into magical scenes.

And I know: winter is hard. It brings challenges for young, old, and sick; the cold requires you to bundle up, call on your courage, and take good care of yourself. It’s all too easy to long for warmth and light to replace the cold and dark.

But when did our memories become so short? Winter repeats itself. Spring repeats itself. Summer will be here before we know it. And each in turn will bring its own challenges along with its own joys.

Lord, grant us the wisdom to remember that winter is only a season—and it is beautiful in its own way.