Brenda’s Blog – March 26, 2019
“Spring has come – its 77 degrees – let’s go play!”
That was yesterday – today it is 40 degrees heading for 27 tonight. What happened to Spring? What happened to play time? Close the windows, turn on the heat, and huddle under a blanket.
In the 1970s we lived in Pagosa Springs, CO. A mountainous resort area drew many “flatlanders” (code word for Texans!). During ski season unseasonably warm days invariably came. Although it was cold, the high altitude sun shone brightly and drove everyone outside to play. During the first winter our family did, too. We reveled in the glorious winter sunshine.
Year two I noticed the locals weren’t playing – they were at the gas station, post office downtown (no local delivery in those days), and lined up at the one small grocery. It seemed strange to me. Why weren’t they enjoying this weather?
THEN the cold front moved in! Without fail, the warmth preceded snow, ice, and cold. The locals knew this and prepared.
The book of Proverbs talks about the discipline of ants who work when others are playing storing for the bad weather. They are honored and respected. “Go to the ant, you sluggard.” We weren’t slugs – we were thanking God for the gorgeous weather. But the ant-like locals were storing up for the storm ahead.
Years later I went through an extremely difficult personal season. I soon recognized a pattern. Before a particularly trying period I experienced especial clarity. The first few times I played in the sunshine thinking the darkness was behind me. When the testing came I was unprepared. One day I thought about Pagosa and saw the correlation. After that when sparkling daylight came I worked hard to get paperwork done, check off to-do items, and assess the current situation in preparation for the next step. It was a successful strategy I still use.
Are you in a stressful season? Are you feeling like you are in a fog? The sunshine will come – use it to make progress. Feel God’s blessing during those times of light. Know He is providing a way to navigate choppy waters.