While this hasn\u2019t been a particularly snowy winter, we\u2019ve had a couple of storms over the past few weeks that brought us a beautiful insulating blanket of about a foot of snow at my home in Massachusetts. I\u2019ve been noticing how quiet, light, and bright it is here with this covering of snow. It absorbs the usual noises and at night, it almost looks like the sun is showing through the cracks in my blackout curtains as the moonlight reflects off the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I appreciate this season as Mother Nature\u2019s forced slow-down, a time for quiet and stillness and space in the cycle of the four seasons. I love the description of winter as \u201cperfect humility.\u201d Of course winter brings its own joys — the comfort found in a hot mug of tea or bowl of soup, the longer nights to catch up on Netflix favorites, the celebration that comes when the school district announces a snow day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though I don\u2019t want to romanticize the COVID pandemic, with its enormous toll of human suffering, in a way this past year has been one long season of winter. A forced slow-down, a year of solitude, looking outside at the world through our windows as we stay at home. As we approach the one year mark of the pandemic and vaccine distribution is increasing, this might be a time to renew our hope that spring is coming. As surely as the cycle of the seasons, there will be days of growth, renewal, and rebirth ahead of us all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I invite you to join me in this prayer adapted from Cal Wick\u2019s \u201cIn the Midst of Winter:\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Holy One,
In the midst of winter, when the days are cold and the wind can pierce, remind us of the warmth of your love.
In the midst of winter, when dawn comes late and dusk arrives early, remind us that in the darkness your light still shines.
In the midst of winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak, remind us that spring is but a short time away.
And when our lives feel as if we are experiencing a season of winter, reach out to us with the power of your love so that we may see the light that alone can take away the darkness.
Amen.<\/p>Cal Wick, “In the Midst of Winter”<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPeace & blessings to you,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer, CPE Intern<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While this hasn\u2019t been a particularly snowy winter, we\u2019ve had a couple of storms over the past few weeks that brought us a beautiful insulating blanket of about a foot of snow at my home in Massachusetts. I\u2019ve been noticing how quiet, light, and bright it is here with this covering of snow. It absorbs … Continue reading Reflection from Jennifer<\/span>