Winter Waiting

 Do you ever feel like winter will never end? I sometimes find myself waiting for winter to end so I can move on to the next thing. If you are anything like me, I like lists. I like to check things off, see what's next, and go after it. Winter can sometimes feel like a season of waiting, where I am held back from completing things. Don't get me wrong, I love winter. It has become my favorite season as I have grown older. I love the snow, the cold, brisk air, and the cozy opposition I find indoors. Yet, as I enjoy the slow moments of winter I can't help but feel that pull toward spring. 

I recently started a study called "Truthfilled" by Ruth Chao Simons with a good friend. Each week we are being challenged to speak truth to ourselves in order to walk more closely with God. In this study, Simons takes readers through the four seasons and explains how we can fill our minds with God's good Word. She connects each of the four seasons to the seasons we experience in life. Some parts of our lives are filled with excitement and anticipation, some are full of loss and sorrow, and others are respites where we get to enjoy the fruit of life. Winter relates to our seasons of waiting. Those quiet, restful days, where we can either choose to lean into the calmness, or anxiously wait for the spring. This year, I am choosing to rest. 

For some, resting can be more difficult, and take more practice, than moving. I definitely fall into that category. My husband tells me I "putter." I like to be moving around all the time. I am always moving, whether I am tidying up the living room, cleaning out closets, making juice, or playing with our 1 year-old. I don't like to stop and rest. I like to think I am a productive, hard-working person. I used to think moving was the only way to stay productive, but I am learning that rest can be just as productive as movement. 

I find reflection to very powerful in deciding where to go next, but I always seemed to feel there wasn't enough time to do so. Now I am realizing that rest is something that I have to put on my list and make time to "do." When you give yourself time to rest your mind usually starts to wander. In my daily life I don't let my mind wander enough. I have found that by taking a break from my puttering and carving out time to sit, read, and work through my Bible study, I am finally letting my mind take me away from my daily checklists. I am listening more to God and seeing where He is leading me. I used to feel I didn't have time to reflect, but now I see that making time to rest allows me to reflect and see more out of life. 

I would encourage you, in this winter season, or in any time of waiting in your life, to slow down, make time to rest, and listen to what God is telling you. Spring is just around the corner, but why rush it? Enjoy the coziness you find when drawing near to God. You may just find rest to be the most beneficial thing you do in your day! 

-Jordan