February 28
So that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, Ephesians 1:18
Have you noticed the increased warmth of the sun’s rays these days, as it filters through any window; and that the sun is setting many, many minutes later than the 4:30 p.m. EST, of just a few months ago? The birds seem to be lingering longer on the tree branches, even though many of those trees continue to be laden with snow and ice; and the squirrels are moving about just a little slower, taking their time feasting in the back yard, instead of racing to pick up something to nibble on as they run off. Everyone I speak with at some point in the conversation says, “Spring is right around the corner, you know!” and with a chuckle, “At least we hope!” And we wait, and we do hope. We hope it will be sooner than later after the difficult winter many have faced.
Around the corner. When the kids were little, while we were driving anywhere, the inevitable question would begin coming from the back seat about how far our destination ahead was. We would often reply with, “It’s just around the corner! Not far now!” The grumbling would settle a bit and their eyes would be fixed on the road ahead, in anticipation and excitement of arriving where they couldn’t wait to be! How good it is when we can recall the hope we carried within us when we were children!
We experience many difficult “winters” in a lifetime. For some of us, the “winter” we are traveling through right now, is in fact the final stage of life as we know it. Along with that, all the anxiety and pain, coldness and occasional detachment from others, that often accompanies it. Our sufferings are personal, between us and God. We may be blessed to be surrounded with loving, caring relationships, but the reality is, no one else can in fact, comprehend another’s suffering, as empathetic as they may be. But in faith we know that our burden is not carried alone. Our God carries us, and we continue on as best we can, knowing that “around the corner” our spring - our Hope, is waiting there. However, it is up to us to keep our eyes fixed on the road ahead, to anticipate with childlike excitement what has been promised and is waiting to welcome us, “around the corner.” For most of us, a new season is awaiting, for others, a new life entirely.
We look forward in faith, to what you have ahead for us, dear Lord!
Copyright© 2015 Kathleen A. Matson
So that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, Ephesians 1:18
Have you noticed the increased warmth of the sun’s rays these days, as it filters through any window; and that the sun is setting many, many minutes later than the 4:30 p.m. EST, of just a few months ago? The birds seem to be lingering longer on the tree branches, even though many of those trees continue to be laden with snow and ice; and the squirrels are moving about just a little slower, taking their time feasting in the back yard, instead of racing to pick up something to nibble on as they run off. Everyone I speak with at some point in the conversation says, “Spring is right around the corner, you know!” and with a chuckle, “At least we hope!” And we wait, and we do hope. We hope it will be sooner than later after the difficult winter many have faced.
Around the corner. When the kids were little, while we were driving anywhere, the inevitable question would begin coming from the back seat about how far our destination ahead was. We would often reply with, “It’s just around the corner! Not far now!” The grumbling would settle a bit and their eyes would be fixed on the road ahead, in anticipation and excitement of arriving where they couldn’t wait to be! How good it is when we can recall the hope we carried within us when we were children!
We experience many difficult “winters” in a lifetime. For some of us, the “winter” we are traveling through right now, is in fact the final stage of life as we know it. Along with that, all the anxiety and pain, coldness and occasional detachment from others, that often accompanies it. Our sufferings are personal, between us and God. We may be blessed to be surrounded with loving, caring relationships, but the reality is, no one else can in fact, comprehend another’s suffering, as empathetic as they may be. But in faith we know that our burden is not carried alone. Our God carries us, and we continue on as best we can, knowing that “around the corner” our spring - our Hope, is waiting there. However, it is up to us to keep our eyes fixed on the road ahead, to anticipate with childlike excitement what has been promised and is waiting to welcome us, “around the corner.” For most of us, a new season is awaiting, for others, a new life entirely.
We look forward in faith, to what you have ahead for us, dear Lord!
Copyright© 2015 Kathleen A. Matson