Resting

Most people hate this time of year.  It's winter, it's cold, sometimes damp, other times snowy.  Things around us look lifeless and bland.  But I have a little different take on it and I love this time of year.

Summer is warm, activity filled....long days, outdoor gatherings, shorts and short sleeves.  You could call it the light and carefree season.  Spring brings the feeling of newness, flowers peeking from the ground, reminding us that there is always a new beginning.  It's the season of newness.  Fall comes after the hot days of summer bringing it's refreshingly cool nights, warm sweaters; the season of warmth and coziness.  But then there's winter....true winter, the time after the frantic and fast paced race of the holiday season.  And it's quiet.  The season of rest.  And that is what I like.

It's the quiet, the peacefulness of this season that speaks to my heart.  It's a time of renewal and rest.  Renewal as we welcome the beginning of a new year with it's promise and resolutions.  Rest, as we cease from the activity of the holidays.  The days are colder, being outside is not something we want to do, and so we turn into our homes, leaving the running and activity behind.  Maybe we clean up and clean out...de-clutter our lives a little.  Maybe we take up reading that stack of books we piled up waiting for a less busy time.  But the pace is slower, our days a little more isolated.

Even the landscape is less cluttered.  Spring, summer and fall carry the fullness and color of nature.  But the winter landscape is soft spoken..almost monochromatic, creating a restful picture of the world around us.  Much like a clean tabletop or dresser...it speaks peace.  (I hate junk all over household surfaces....It makes me edgy because it usually means I have to put a bunch of stuff away!  Add to that "to do" list!   lol)

I believe God gave us this season for a reason.  He knows we need rest.  Our minds, our bodies, our spirits need the quiet time.  We need time to hunker down and not race from one activity to another.  The Bible speaks about the Sabbath rest, about God resting on the 7th day, entering God's rest.  So obviously rest is important to our Father.  And so I am thankful for this quiet season of winter.  I am thankful for the empty landscape and slower pace.  I am thankful for the way the Lord has made this world--a reflection of spiritual truths and realities.  We need rest.  We need time spent with the Lord in quiet reflection and fellowship.  Winter is a great time to dig deeper into Scripture and grow deeper in our relationship with Him.  And it's a good time to clean out a closet or two as well!  LOL

Lord, thank You for the spiritual truths You teach us through the world around us.  Thank You for this time of rest and refreshment.  It's so peaceful to just be huddled inside with You.  Lord, let us use this time wisely.  Let it be a time of growth.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Take time to rest with the Lord.