But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25
Light snow is falling, adding to the increasing historical snowfall totals here in Massachusetts. Along with this, bone chilling temperatures have most people weary; weary from clearing snow, trying to remain comfortable and getting where they have to go. Gone are the simple days of exiting a building in shirtsleeves, taking a leisurely stroll or hopping into the car and leaving a driveway in moments. Everything is taking longer! The time it takes to don hats, coats, boots, gloves and scarves; trudge through the snow to clear off the car and warm it up; travel on less than perfect roads or wait for public transportation (and still get to our destinations late!); walk in a market with the grace of a suited up astronaut etc.; has patience worn thin and bodies weary.
Moving about outside with Maizy, snow banks towering over me, it brings me back to my childhood and the thrill I felt when it snowed! The cold and white blanketed hills and wetland signaled “coasting” and ice skating - fun for hours on end! Often those moments extended into the evening hours, when my brother, sister and I would lay back in the snow looking up in awe at the multitude of stars twinkling back at us in the clear night sky, while all around us the dazzling snow sparkled like glitter had been strewn over it, as it reflected the moonlight! Listening to each other’s chatter, we kept one ear toward the house and our Mother’s call, hoping she would continue to be busy so we could linger there! Funny how we barely noticed we were cold, let alone freezing! What happened?
Older now, responsibility and concern for others supersede the “fun” that snow brings it seems. And certainly by now, the tediousness of all the work winter entails would have already left us weary, however this is beyond my recollection of any winter! But, using my Grandchildren’s favorite expression, “Guess what?” Spring is really only a few weeks away! Under the frozen ponds, the memories of dragon flies and mosquitoes flitting about; sun turtles soaking up rays on a log, pollywogs and noisy bull frogs and sunshine sparkling on cool water, lay dormant. Under the mounds of snow, fat little chipmunks and field mice, seeds and bulbs and green grass, all wait to burst forth in the warmth of the sun. Nature patiently waits in the knowledge and hope of tomorrow. The weary earth will dance once again with renewed warmth and vitality! And her people, renewed in that Hope, will rejoice!
Abba! Father! We are yours!
As we begin this Lenten journey, may we, in all our varied circumstances, hold on to the Hope in tomorrow that our God has blessed us with, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Copyright© 2015 Kathleen A. Matson