He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5
Winter in Indiana just seems to drag on endlessly. If you are from the Midwest, you know what I’m talking about. Sometime around November, snow flurries begin. It fills us with anticipation of the holidays to come and the knowledge that a new season is upon us. We drag out our snow pants and fuzzy socks. We warm mugs of hot cocoa and sip them next to a roaring fire. It feels warm and cozy and safe. That feeling might continue on through Thanksgiving and into Christmas. If we are lucky, even the new year feels thrilling.
Then January hits us full force in the face with a snowball. By February even our bones are cold, and our muscles are sore from endless snow shoveling. By March we wag an angry finger at the sky as the wind blows 55 miles per hour, threatening to knock us clean off our feet. For a day or so, the temperature rises enough for the ground to thaw into a muddy mess. We consider hosting a mud wrestling competition in our front yard. Then we realize our dogs and kids already have. We lament the day we chose the light tan carpet and discover that there isn’t enough rug shampoo on the planet to fix what the dogs drug through the family room.
Just today I was heading out to my barn in the early morning hours to feed our animals. I pushed warm toes into cool galoshes and pulled a sweatshirt over wild hair, promising myself to find my hairbrush immediately upon returning to the house. I slipped through the gate to the barnyard, and immediately my boot was stuck firmly in the mud. I wiggled and pulled and finally broke free. I felt frustrated as I stared down at my dirty foot. Bracing myself with one hand on the fence, I pulled my boot back on. Then I noticed the print my warm hand left behind on the frost-glittered gate. My eyes followed the length of the fence across our acres of property. The sun emerged just then, shooting rays of light across the icy scene. Then my gaze moved from the fence to the world around me. Everything sparkled like soft pink diamonds. A beautiful masterpiece, and I was the only one to witness it.
Often in my role as a mother, I feel like I am in an endless winter. At first I’m excited for each new stage. Then I realize I am ill equipped for the task at hand. I wander about for a bit trying my best. Then just as I am about to throw my hands up in defeat, God shows me the beautiful artwork He is creating with my family. My children are His. I am His. No matter how dark some seasons feel, the Lord stands beside us, showering His love on us. Some days feel cold and dark and lonely, but a new day is always coming.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
This Easter season is upon us, and how fitting that it arrives just at the tail end of winter. It is a story of defeat, sorrow, and death. Then the story takes a turn and becomes a story of resurrection, renewal, and life. During this season, take notice. The Son has come to warm the earth, burn off the frost that has formed on our hearts, and fill us with the promise of a new day.
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