Winter can be a challenging season of Nature, but in the darkness of an emotional or spiritual winter period of our lives, where do we turn for courage and strength?
Reflections on a fall walk
It was 59° that September morning, and there had been a nip of fall in the air for three days. The spiky balls were swelling on the chestnut tree. Squirrels were scampering hither and yon—their activity seemed to be increasing, and I had to wonder if they weren’t responding to some internal urge to begin storing things for the winter. I’d seen two flocks of Canada Geese fly over that week. That always signals the fall season to me, as they begin their migration south for the winter.
Bittersweet changes
There’s something bittersweet about this time of year, even though fall is my favorite season. I suppose it has to do with one season ending and another beginning, but to me, fall signals a time of new beginnings and new opportunities, a time to reflect on how I can live my most wholehearted life.
Yet after fall comes winter, and for some, that is a hard, dark time.
So how do we handle these changes in our year, our lives, and our spirits? Nature gives us hints, and I think one secret is not to strive more, but rather to just be more. As we focus on the being, the next step in our journey becomes clearer, especially when we listen for God’s still small voice. When things are changing all around us, getting anxious and frantic won’t help. It’s time, instead, to take a deep breath, listen, and be grateful.
Focus on gratitude
I do believe gratitude is the secret sauce that makes every season better. As I walked the country road that morning, I was surrounded by beautiful views in all directions: woods, mountains, log homes, farms, and fields. How grateful I am to live in such a place as this! Even when we face hardship, Scripture tells us to give thanks. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” [1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV]
Arrows in your quiver
Whatever season you’re in, you have a purpose, even if you’re not aware of it.
No matter how useless you might feel at times, God can use you for His greater good. Trust that He will equip you with what you’ll need, right when you need it. Since the ways He uses us are sometimes unknown and sometimes mysterious, this is indeed a matter of faith, and faith can be scary.
Whether it’s a new season of the year or a new season in your life, gratitude, mindfulness, courage, and faith are like arrows in your quiver. Carry them in your heart wherever you go. They will never fail you.
And if you find yourself in the midst of a cold, dark time—literally or figuratively—take heart as you face your winter. Remember that spring is not far off, and the sun’s warmth will soon come to thaw the frozen places.
Photo credit: Snowstorm Winter In The Mountains by
Pin this:
Is Self-Reliance The Key To Happiness? Maybe not..
I love the idea of looking at nature to learn how to handle the change in seasons. Thank you for this!
Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment, Paula! I am so often inspired and humbled by observing the natural world.
“Winter” has become a joke among me and my non-North-Dakotan friends. We didn’t KNOW winter until we came here. I detest it. It lasts seven (or more!) months. After a recent health scare, I’m more in tune with all things….um “feeling.” Like now, I’m feeling cold. I’m feeling scraping ice off my windshield. I’m feeling I hope my son retires from the A.F. soon so we can move away from here. Though I’m also feeling like I’ve made a lot of friends in Minot, ND, and I’ve found my place on the frozen tundra and have found a new direction for my future (through education at Minot State University!). We have been blessed this year with a truly spectacular fall….high temps and clear blue skies. Trees that turn yellow and gold. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I have only had to wear gloves twice so far this year. When in North Dakota, make frozen lemonade, eh?
Karen, it’s such a great reminder that everything is relative! My observations compared to yours in North Dakota and Esther’s in California are all different. Yet what binds us—especially if we’ve lived long enough to have experienced heartache and loss—is that we all understand the winter of the spirit. It is dark and cold and frightening. That’s when we need to reach out to each other and take a clue from Mother Nature that the sun will shine again.
So beautifully written! I want to savor your phrases, like “gratitude is the secret sauce that makes every season better.” Gratitude makes everything smell better, taste better, BE better, I agree. Gratitude makes life bearable in the hard times, and so much sweeter in the good times. Oh, and your phrase “gratitude, mindfulness, courage, and faith are like arrows in your quiver.” GORGEOUS, and so true it almost hurts. Here’s to our arrows in our quiver. xo
Pam, you’ve made my day with these beautiful comments. And from one writer to another, your specific phrase comments really help me know what hits the mark. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am so missing the four seasons here! Well, the typical four seasons. Here on the California coast, fall is the warmest season of the year. The summer fog (marine layer) has gone, the sun is up early, the nights are warmer than they ever are in summer. But it all seems so out-of-whack. Fall is the end of the 6-8 month dry season. This year more than ever we need the dry season to end and the rains to begin. I feel like it is late February. I’m waiting impatiently for the dead season to end and the growing season to begin. Hurry up rain! Don’t let us dry up completely or burn up. Bring us back the season of growth and renewal! I’m TIRED of waiting!!
The only saving grace is that the growing season is worth the wait, whether we’ve waited through winter or drought or hardship. We’ll be envying your California weather when it comes to about January.