Hey you!  How are you??  To be honest, these first few weeks of the new year have felt long and hard. Some good news in December became heavy news in January. Part of me wants to show up here and share something light and encouraging and yet when I talk to some of you I hear the heaviness too. We are all walking through some kind of winter. 

Many of you know I was born in Miami and lived in Florida until I was 8.  My Dad grew up in Knoxville and both sets of my grandparents lived in Tennessee so when the opportunity for my Dad to pastor a church in Chattanooga was presented it became an exciting move closer to extended family.

I grew up in Tennessee, was married in Tennessee, had babies in Tennessee, and always loved experiencing the different seasons of the year.

I’ve always proclaimed my love for cold weather and when the opportunity came for my husband and me to work at a church in Michigan years ago.  I was pretty excited weather-wise. People tried to warn me…and I would assure them I loved the cold and Winter was my favorite season.

We moved to Michigan on the first weekend in November. With an 18-month-old and being nearly 8 months pregnant, we were welcomed by the first winter storm of the season.

And this is where my excitement was met with my reality.

I can still remember walking from our car to the church door (which wasn’t that far) and feeling the pain in my face from the bitter temps and the cold air hitting up against it. It was like nothing I had ever experienced.

I now realized what others that knew were trying to tell me …there is a different kind of winter to experience. 

And I was getting ready to experience a very cold WINTER.

When I was younger I didn’t know what living through Winter was. I  hadn’t yet felt the weight of a Winter season like a thick blanket of snow or the sting of the cold blistering wind against my face.

It is painful…it hurts and as I just shared a vivid memory etched in my mind… winter seasons aren’t easily forgotten.

I now have lived enough life to know that seasons are a part of life. And that includes the Winter seasons.

Which means I need to be prepared.

Our first spring/summer in Michigan found us one evening out at the ball fields. As I got settled on the bleachers with some friends ready to cheer on my husband and team I noticed as the game went on that the temperature was quickly dropping. Because it was late spring and the beginning of Summer, I was dressed accordingly to what that had meant for me in my life previously haha

As it became obvious that I and my children were feeling the chill in the air I was informed with polite laughter that I would soon learn that you don’t pack away the sweaters just yet at this time of the year.

Lesson learned…next season I was prepared.

Sometimes Winter seasons can feel unfruitful and feel as if days of waiting for brighter skies and warmer temps are so far out in the future… but this view would be misleading to Winter's potential and purpose. When we allow our thoughts to keep us longing for ‘the next’ we miss the ‘now.” The moments right in front of us hold their own beauty and gifts even if the wrapping looks a little different and not something we would maybe choose ourselves.

The dark days of winter with shorter glimpses of light can sometimes cause the whispers of darkness to become louder in our hearts + minds. We can easily start to entertain and believe the lies being whispered. Thoughts like it’s always going to feel this dark. Nothing ever goes right or as planned…I’m sure we all have our personalized accusations that know just how to discourage and try and kill our hope.  A pastor of our years ago frequently mentioned the quote “ never doubt in the dark what has been revealed in the light”  such a great reminder for us!

Dark days will attempt to make you doubt all the things that in this moment you no longer see.  

Winter days are necessary. A gardener understands that a good freeze in winter promotes soil stabilization as well as prevents insect gestations.

I think we can see winter provides the same opportunity for us in our spiritual formation. A slowing down to find warmth and comfort in the grace and love of God. A season to just be, no striving, and allow God’s work in our life to go deep and strengthen roots.

Winter is necessary to manifest the beauty of Spring and if we will allow its preparation for the growing season. So again don’t assign the Winter seasons as unfruitful. Think of this season as a time of preparation.

Winter is necessary.

 My prayer today is that you will continue to walk through this Winter.

Walking with the confidence of knowing that you are not alone.

Even if it’s dark. You are not alone.

Even if you’re cold. You are not alone.

Even if you’re tired + weary. You are not alone.

Keep walking friend. God’s light and love for you are always there... 

Even in the dark.

Especially in the dark.