This winter has not exactly been the kindest to us here in Pennsylvania. It teased us throughout December and a good bit of January, making us think we would truly have a mild winter. And then it happened... Winter hit and it hit hard. A blizzard with record snow (almost 3 feet), another snow storm hit right after the blizzard snow was finally melting, and yet another snow/ice thing this week. We have been stuck inside for too long...
And as Winter was pelting us with yuckyness outside our household was hit with the flu. Yes, the full blown flu for my husband. The same day Kevin was confirmed to have the flu Zachary caught some nasty stomach bug. And because our boys share illnesses (and not so much toys) Ben and Patrick got flu-like symptoms. Tyler and I are the only ones who haven't really been hit hard, but hey, there's still time!
I have never wished for Spring more than this Winter. I find myself praying to get past this season and into warmer weather. I look forward to sending the boys outside to play with only sweatshirts. (I look forward to not wearing a coat myself!) So many wonderful things happen in Spring. Tulips bloom. Birds tweet. It's so much nicer than Winter.
In a moment at our staff meeting this morning I realized I have had a very poor attitude when it came to Winter. Our pastor was talking about his love for Spring, but that he also likes Winter because it comes before Spring. It's the time of excited anticipation for all the beautiful things that come with Spring. It got me thinking more about Winter. Maybe I have been giving this season a bad rap. What could I find positive about it? What would happen if rather than looking at it from the perspective of just "getting through" it I could find a way to see how good it can be?
Winter has brought our family some AMAZING family time! This was the first year that Kevin had off every time his school closed. So, he was home when the boys were home. We watched movies and played games and spent time during the day in ways we never did before. We took drives through the beautiful country side looking at all the farms covered in glistening snow. Bright red cardinals stood out in the snow covered trees. The boys learned what it means to work together and how hard work shoveling can turn into snowball fights. We've had time to focus on our business in ways we would have been too busy to do if it weren't for the snow. And, as much as I dislike my boys being sick, the lasting cuddles and quiet moments are far too uncommon on a normal day.
As I began to really think about the neat things about this Winter I started to be less eager to get through it. As I excitedly anticipate all that Spring has to offer I don't want to miss out on the neat things happening right now. I believe we can enjoy the here and now while still excitedly anticipating what is to come next. I also believe (as I have just experienced) that we cannot truly excitedly anticipate what is to come if we cannot be content with where we are. Because there is just too much wishing to get through things... There just is.
May we all learn to enjoy what Winter has to offer as we excitedly anticipate all that Spring has to offer. May we see God even in the midst of the things we don't like. May we see that whatever "winter" is for each us of, it is not to be "gotten through" but to be experienced. May we find contentment even in the midst of a blizzard...
