Hello, Winter (11/21/2024)

This morning, I woke up earlier than usual, I made my coffee and headed to the porch. But at the porch door, I realized I had work to do before I could sit with my coffee. So, I set my cup down and spent the next 15 minutes clearing snow from my floor, my table, and my chair. Then I retrieved my cup of coffee and went out to sit with the LORD in quiet prayer time. But Winter had other ideas. As I sat and sipped, the wind whirled about me and brought with it a mist of fine snow. I found myself covered in snow in just a few minutes. I smiled and said out loud, “Hello, Winter.” And then I asked the LORD if I would ever understand the logic of this season.

Don’t get me wrong, the beauty of the world blanketed in a fresh coat of snow doesn’t escape me. I marvel at the artistic genius in the wind crafted drifts. But I find that it really tests my determination to sit with the LORD peacefully in the early morning hours. And I wonder why we need winter. Why can’t we jump from autumn to spring?

Then I realized that there are no promises that this journey will be easy or convenient. In fact, Jesus warns us when He tells us we must pick up our cross and follow Him. That should be a clue that this isn’t always going to be easy. And I think of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that I taught the confirmation class last evening and specifically fortitude, the commitment and strength to see things through because of our love for the LORD. And my mind went to the pocket crosses that I shared with those present, offering them to anyone who wanted one. How committed am I to this journey in, with, and through Christ? Will a bit of wind and cold laced with snow defeat my commitment?

As I finished up my prayer time with the LORD, I had to smile and share with the LORD what He already knew. Winter challenges us. It tests us. It isn’t without its beauty and appeal, but mostly, it leads us to reflect on things we don’t consider in the beauty of spring, in the warmth of summer, in the abundance of autumn. I conceded to the LORD; the LORD won.

As we continue our journeys in faith, buoyed by hope in Christ’s promise, and fueled by love, let us lovingly, patiently, and faithfully encounter what is, work to change those things we are called to change, but acknowledging those things that are not ours to control. And let us know that regardless of the temps or the forecast, the LORD journeys with us and in us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.