What a boring winter this is turning out to be. While I am not at all a fan of cold, I do enjoy a good winter storm or two that traps us cozily inside, unable to go anywhere, and gives the perfect excuse to do nothing but watch movies and craft all day long.
We haven't had that. It's been a winter devoid of any mentionable snow fall.
"What's the point in a winter like this?"
Do I really need a snow storm to have an excuse to stop life for a day or two?
It seems that way. Because in my world, one must always be doing something productive. Cleaning the house, writing letters, making phone calls, touching people's lives, menu planning, learning something. . .
"I'd love to sit down and read this afternoon. Play with GIMP. Sew maybe. Do something fun, not work!"
These are my thoughts every morning.
Then, instead, every day finds myself not allowing any of the fun things that I enjoy, but instead the "oughts" and "shoulds" consuming my time.
I need a winter. Like the trees and the grass. Where I can lay dormant and not be so busy producing life. Rejuvenating for the next season. Resting before blooming forth again.
Nature finds it necessary, why should I be any different? There is a rhythm of productivity and rest within the seasons. Can I not take my cue from them?
The Creator Himself stepped into that rhythm. He, Almighty, All-powerful God.
And on the seventh day He rested.
He can rest but for me to do so is guilt-invoking? How does that happen?
Last Sunday as I cleaned the house, menu planned, wrote letters, wrote up some book reviews, baked some goodies for the week ahead, and did three loads of laundry, I wondered how I arrived at that place. When did the Sabbath become another workday? When did I step out of the rhythm of rest into driven living seven days a week?
I hit Mondays stressed that my Sunday to-do list wasn't accomplished. I should be entering Monday with a spirit of peace and re-focus because I did little the day before. With the re-set button pushed, not the play button still going at a furious pace.
If I can step out of the rhythm, surely I can step back in and find my place again. A place of quiet contemplation, considering the week behind and the week I hope for ahead. Where did I go wrong? What did I do right? How can I do better?
A place of resting in the Creator's arms.
Just. being.
Not doing.
Just being His Beloved. His Creation, who was created to rest periodically.
Winter is soon over. Gardening and outdoor work begins again. The days will have more light, calling me out of bed sooner and sending me to bed later.
Winter is here now with it's cold days and long nights, encouraging me to snuggle in and be still. Recenter. Refocus.
Rest time is here.
Necessary rest.
Restful, purposeful, productive dormancy.
That is the point of winter, snowstorms or not.
