Ah, January is fast fleeing and things seem to be looking brighter in this last Newsletter of the month.
As I write, I remember the words of Anna Quindlen in One True Thing: "February is a suitable month for dying. Everything around is dead, the trees black and frozen so that the appearance of green shoots two months hence seems preposterous, the ground hard and cold, the snow dirty, the winter hateful, hanging on too long."
Yes, to most of us things indeed seem lifeless at the beginning of February. But only on the surface. Below the snow-covered ground, things are stirring; roots are stretching, seeds are plumping, chipmunks are turning over in their slumber – even bears are beginning to stir in their winter dens.
The month of February brings with it longer days and this increase in daylight sets off a chain reaction in the forests. Life-giving sap begins to flow in the trees and nowhere is this a more welcomed sign of spring than in the majestic Maples.
Maple trees make me think of sweet maple syrup. And maple syrup makes me think of pancakes. And pancakes, of course, bring thoughts of Shrove Tuesday and the beginning of Lent.
Yes, it will not be long before the migrating birds begin their journey homeward.
And, of course, the crocuses, tulips and hyacinths will have already poked their furtive heads above the ground.
I for one am looking forward to February. Tentative thoughts of putting those winter boots and scarfs to bed for yet another season. Storing the shovels and bags of salt back in the garage. Shedding the heaviness which has weighed us down through the past winter, especially this year as yet again we have been faced with restrictions, masks, hand sanitizers, and daily reports of Covid deaths and infections.
I am ready to dance the dance of new life, the dance of resurrection and change for spring is a metaphor for change. Some changes we eagerly await, some changes we plan and others arrive uninvited.
In all these changes we ask the gift of God’s perspective beckoning us to expectation, hope, and rebirth. And we pray:
God, thank you for Spring and the hope of warmer, longer, brighter days.
Thank you for the coming of growth and life and birth.
Thank you that things are coming awake in the world.
This is what our calendar says, and we do see some signs that it is real.
But we also still struggle with the residual layover of winter.
Now we ask that you bring into reality all that belongs in this season.
Your word says that we will have provision, and hope, and joy, and health and loving relationships here and now in this life.
We ask that what belongs in this season would become actual in our practical lives.
We hope in you and in your promises.
We hope in your gift of Spring. Amen - Author Unknown
In hope and deep peace
Pastor Beryl, DLM