Winter

I slip on my sneakers, throw on a coat, and hurry out the door. The crisp air greets me and I can see my breath as I head down the driveway.

An early morning walk is often a challenge (especially since I’m a card-carrying night owl), but once I hit a melodious stride I am certain it’s worth the effort.

Whatever the season, I savor those first sacred moments of the day- the fresh smell of dawn, birds chirping to break the silence, gradual stirring of the neighborhood, the sun rising to welcome us with the hope of all things new.

But there is something magnificent about walking during the winter months that cannot be replicated any other time of year.

The trees.

Ah the bare winter trees.

I simply find them stunning.

An intricate web of branches against the backdrop of the soft sky. I can’t take my eyes off of them, and I often pause to take a picture with my phone (only a person serious about exercise stops mid-workout to snap some photos!)

What strikes me most about the winter trees is the way the light shines through without the barrier of leaves. The absence of abundance and fullness actually adds to their brilliance.

Have you ever found this to be true in your life? I know I have. If I think about the times of profound growth and transformation, there was always some type of winter involved. Some hardship. Some sorrow. Some challenge.

It is in these moments of struggle that we tend to drop our leaves…and we are often richly blessed by our transparency. God’s light shines through, drawing us closer to Him and fostering a deep connection to the people around us.

Over the years, I have come to realize that the trials in our lives are just as significant to our story as the joy. Although difficult and painful, there is great hope in God’s promise to work all things for good (Romans 8:28). If we invite Jesus into our suffering, He will refine us as we heal and bring purpose to our pain – in His time.

Just this week, I happened to drive down a street that I had only explored in the spring and summer. I was surprised to see a beautiful glistening lake behind a vast row of trees; it had always been hidden by a flourish of green. What a powerful reminder of the unlimited possibilities our own winters can reveal.

I pray that these images stay with us all and continually offer us hope. A timely message for today as we celebrate the beginning of the Easter season, the greatest example of immense suffering followed by abundant life.

There’s more to come: We continue to shout out praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary- we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!   Romans 5:3-5 (The Message)