Every season

I enjoy aspects of every season. Winter is my least favorite, I’ll admit, but I wouldn’t give up the rain we in California’s Sierra Foothills desperately need to get us through the many months when we won’t see a drop or the joy of curling up in my comfy armchair and toasting my toes in front of the pellet stove.

I do my best to enjoy each season of my life as well. Our one and only headed off to college this past September, launching me into the Empty Nest season, and I’m finding out how cool it is to have time to devote to my writing and to have uninterrupted time with my husband.

This is how I view winter most often. During this last (and still lingering) season, someone told me that even though I hate winter, if I could see one good thing in it, I’d survive it. I couldn’t come up with anything and she finally gave up and gave me the answer. She said that the barren, skeletal trees and frozen, packed earth would give way to tiny blooms and struggling shoots. When winter died, I’d love spring that much more because God had given me new eyes during those cold, dreary months and that vision would allow me to see spring as the miracle of life and creation that it is.

Seeing my first glimpses of life blooming, I’m thankful to her. And perhaps, a little, to winter, too.

I don’t like that we weren’t made for perpetual joy, but I’m sure it’s true. When I visited a bulb grower in Holland, he said the bulbs NEED the winter’s cold so as to bloom at the right time. I revel in the sunshine more because of its rarity in our Irish climate. Seasons, ebb and flow, give fullness and wholeness to life.

Right now i’m in a winter season while the world around me is in spring. With the death of my grandma last week I feel buried in my grief and heartache. I have felt pressure to make myself match what’s outside of me, but know that I need to go through this season and not rush it. Thank you for the encouragement to take each season aa it comes and to endure.

Winter is a long drawn out process in South Dakota. It can start as early as September and can last straight until June. Oh there are still nice days, weeks and months in between but the blues the come with it can seem never ending. I always try to keep fresh flowers in my window as a reminder of what is to come and it never takes away the joy of the first sight of green grass, or buds on the trees.
We have learned to adapt to winter. We ski, and sled, and snowmobile. Our children have outdoor recess everyday in snowpants, gloves, hats, and boots. But we defy it as well by hunting Easter eggs in the snow and wearing shorts when it’s 40 degrees. Give us a “nice” day and the entire town is out walking and on bikes or at the park. Winter has served to give us more of an appreciation for the beauty of a nice day and as a community we never fail to enjoy them.
By the way, I’ve had tulips since Valentine’s Day.

Oh yeah, I was definately glad to see the tulips coming up. We planted a whole bunch more last fall. Very exciting. And we didn’t cheat!

First I have to say that I’m sorry for your loss Melissa.

There are things in Winter that I loathe: heating the house, hazardous roads, and cold and flu season.

As an artist I’ve come to appreciate the subtle variations in the colors of the landscape. Look closely next winter at what might seem to be simple white, grey, and black. You will start to see that all of the rainbow’s colors are still there – just faded – even on an overcast day.

There is nothing more strikingly beautiful than sun shining through icy branches against a clear blue winter sky. Just thinking about it brings back the fond memory of standing in Winter’s silence and breathing cool crisp air…. even as I’m thrilled to be entering Spring!

By the grace of God there is beauty and joy everywhere. Sometimes its less obvious and you have to look for it. Sometimes that makes it so much better.

I LOVE your writing Billy. You draw the reader in and we are right there on that porch with you. Keep up the fabulous work.

Juliana

Here in Manitoba, what looks like Spring may soon be covered over again with snow. Perhaps God moved me here to teach me about endurance and anticipation.

I pray that next year the tulips that spring up in your yard by His hand onc eagain delight you Billy!

As usual, your words radiate through the soul. Funny, how in so many ways we think we can do it better than God…make our own schedule, develop our own plan. It doesn’t take long for us to be humbled…to realize that God knows best. He knows exactly WHAT we need…WHEN we need it. There is a time for everything…under heaven.
With joy,
Cherie

I don’t know why I have been away for so long. This post speaks clear.

Blessings.

To savor each season. To look for the brilliant in the barren. To endure while we hope.

I don’t think I appreciated the warmth and sun as much when we lived in Florida. Or even Georgia. Michigan’s seasons preach.

Thought-provoking post. As always.

Amazing post. For me, summers are incredibly difficult. I thrive in the cold and the gray seasons. I know – I must have the opposite of seasonal affective disorder – but that’s the way God made me. Summers are my enemy instead of winter. I hate the head, hate the way my skin feels like it’s baked, hate the bugs and the sweat and the constant attempts to stay cool.

But after reading this, I realize that I need to look at the positive aspects of summer. The sound of the cicadas in the trees, the 4th of July, picnics, and sitting out on the porch chatting with friends and family.

Thanks for the gentle reminder.

That should say I hate the “heat” although there are times when my head is so hot that I hate it, too!

Such an apt reminder for me today. As the feelings I wrote about on my blog this week swirl around me I feel change coming & it feels like the dreaded winter we just had is starting all over again in my soul. Not sure I will be happy with the chnages coming.It’s true we have to experience these times to be able to appreaciate the times that reflect a spring time in our lives. Thanks for sharing.

I love the way you make me think Billy. Great point. Too much of a good thing … right? We have highs and lows, peaks and valleys — each serves a purpose in our growth.

Beautiful thoughts here, Billy.

Even though we are in full bloom here, my life is definitely in an enduring season. I will say that the blooming of nature helps me through the enduring of trials though. Praise the Lord for that.

~Brenda

Great thoughts Billy. I hadn’t thought about cheating on winter, but I can see it. I’n Tulsa it’s the daffodiles that come up first, with tulips close behind. Interesting to me is the observation that it usually isn’t cold enough in the ground for the bulbs to set and they are almost an annual here. Meaning they are only good for about a year or two before they rot. Doesn’t keep me from planting them though.

I’m not a fan of winter either. I need sunshine and warm days. And while Tulsa might not be as brutal as where you are, I’m spoiled. When we have a rough winter like we have the last two, I get really cranky.

So beautiful Billy and so true. Thank you

Billy-boy, you always speak such gentle words to my heart! The world is a better place because of your presence! I guess I’m one of those odd ones…I like winter! Summer with its heat and humidity plays havoc with my fibro. I thoroughly enjoyed this because I am enjoying my first ever tulips.

Melissa, I’m so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. I lost mine when I was 13, fifty one years ago, and I still cry because I miss her. May the Lord give you comfort and peace.

Nice. As usual.

We do the same, Billy. We cheat winter. But man … it felt good. Catching rays on a Cancun beach this winter felt pretty good. Completely self-indulgent, we know, but did we ever love it.

Interesting post..makes you think.

This is perhaps my favorite thing you’ve written yet! I love it. It’s true; what makes us appreciate the tulips — the change in seasons — is enduring through the long, hard winter. Thanks, Billy!