There are early signs of Spring emerging in the back yard. The days have been a little warmer, a few trees and bushes have begun to push out their first buds, and patches of grass are growing greener. There is hope out there!
But inside, in my heart and spirit, the long days of winter continue on. Coldness and darkness inhibit me, the bare trees make me unproductive, and the icy hardness leaves me lifeless. I need hope in here.
I have hope – the long hope that says in the end, Jesus wins. I know that hope and cling to it, even in the winter. But the short hope, the hope that looks to this day and says it will be good, has been in short supply.
Sue Awes knows what I’m talking about. She wrote about it in a post today on her blog, May 1st Everlasting.
People seem weary. It’s not just the winter. The kids are sick; bronchitis is omnipresent and fierce. Money is tight. Lay-offs continue. The Gophers (that’s University of Minnesota basketball, dear readers) blew their season. Big trouble in Wisconsin and Libya. “I’m too busy”. “I don’t have time”. “I’m too tired.” Is it March malaise or malady or madness? It is pervasive.
So what do we do? Wait til Spring comes outside, really comes like in April or May, and hope for a thawing inside too? Or do we take Spring to the inside now, today, any day, every day?
[L]et’s vacate, once a day, once a week, once a month – and find the springs of revival. They will be found in the things and with the people that you love. Do you not believe that God uses the things of this earth to give us what we need? If you love to golf, golf! If you love to dance, dance!
And when you dance call out your praise to Him for your “En Hakkore”,  the Caller’s Spring, the fountain to quench your thirst, to revive your weariness, to end your winter.
My heart said, “yes, yes!” when I read this. Because if there’s anything that keeps me in the winter season of the soul, it is trudging through work – work at home, work at church, work at work – without giving my body and soul refreshment.
This isn’t about the long hope. There is a source of Living Water that alone brings refreshment for the long haul. But the keeper of that fountain, God himself, He gives us shallow springs to sustain us day by day.
Sue is going to reread Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. I am going to take a day off work and make pancakes in my pajamas on Monday.
What will you do? What spring will you go to for refreshment?
The winter never lasts. And without it, we’d never experience spring. I’ve learned to embrace winter this year and find its beauty.
And what’s better than pajama pancakes?
This there and back vision is a wonderful idea!
Ah yes. So good that God’s renewal is with and in us day after day. I most certainly need it. Everyday I feel something of the same which you so well express here, Charity. But that barrenness of course is a blessing too, in that we know our all comes from God through Jesus.
Deidra — Green stuff, huh? How exciting. Today, I had a long talk with a coworker about gardening and suddenly my heart was full. It’s coming, Spring, and I’m ready.
Ah winter. Poor winter. It does us in, doesn’t it? But just this morning I noticed green stuff poking up beneath the dirt in front of my bay window. Oh joy!
Charity, let’s put on our dancing shoes and dance our praise!
Jenny — Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your encouragement. I would love to have more people join me in going There and Back Again.
Ann — Winter used to not bother me, but slowly, I am planning a Florida retirement myself!
This is a great idea, the visiting around the High Calling. I’m writing myself a note so I can participate next week.
YOur blog is beautiful, I am a new follower.
You wrote, “Coldness and darkness inhibit me, the bare trees make me unproductive, and the icy hardness leaves me lifeless.”
And I have to say that’s pretty much what winter does to me, as well. Not a fan. I’m always scheming of ways to move to south, when maybe I just need to dance? 🙂
Thanks, Sue! I’d say you are making your way online quite nicely! I love your blog, and am looking forward to spending some more time looking back through your archives. And you paint? So do I! (a little)
Soul sisters, indeed!
Charity – it sounds like we are surely soul sisters. Thank you for visiting my site and bringing me to Wide Open Spaces! I barely know what I am doing yet in cyber world – and I’m going to try to figure out ‘there and back again’!! In the meantime I’ll be following you and your quest for spring and your way with words.
Blessings, Sue