HOPE IN WINTER BLUES

It’s early in the morning. The rain continues softly coming down with a cool breeze coming off of the patio through my office. There is only darkness. Even though it’s autumn it feels like winter…not cold…just dark. With the holiday season now in full force, many people are looking forward to celebrating their new marriages, great times with friends and family, new careers, and participating in all the joys of holiday festivities. But not everyone is… Some will be reminded that their loved one is not with them this holiday season. Some are waiting for the results of their biopsy. And some are just lonely. And for many of us there is also a dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over the future of America. But, there is also what some call “ winter blues” that is not due to our circumstances. Recently, our Womens bible study leader, Lisa Laizure, shared with us that Christians have seasonal algorithms. The winter blues can be described as a time when you just don’t care, when your walk with God is stagnant, when you are weary , when you just want to hibernate until winter is over. But then, what is the purpose of winter? Just like winter in nature, it is a time to slow down, to rest, to shed off those things that need to be renewed. Are you in this winter season? Do you find yourself weary with the cares of the world or just your own life? And then I saw this. In the middle of the rainstorm was my yellow rosebush with two new roses! It was bright, sunny, joyful, shouting out that Spring is coming. Let me repeat that…Spring is coming. Like the rainbow God exhibits after the rains, He reminds us that winter is only for a season….Spring is coming. We have the HOPE of spring where we will once again care, be energized, be excited about sharing Jesus, of finding hope, no matter the circumstances. But, for now, embrace winter and rest in the arms of Jesus. Allow Him to carry your burdens…to remove those things in your life that hinder your spiritual growth…to show all of us that He’s got the future and it is good. The rains continue but I know it’s not forever…it’s just a season. May you find hope during your winter blues, knowing that Spring is coming.