In A Time Of Winter

TUES., JAN. 10, 1984, 7:05 AM
FARM, STUDY

You look out into a world of white, o son, and observe a time of winter. Your small stove is moved closer, but there still is a chill in the air. It is a time of waiting, but also a time of enjoyment in and of itself. You cut and split that last large remnant of the mulberry tree, and that was a pleasure, in the actual work and in doing it before the cold returned.

The Ruminations took longer than you expected, but you persisted, and now you just have the mailing task. Do that on a “some each day” basis. The time of winter is often pictured as a time of little activity, but you have much to do if you are going to continue to be responsible. Keep a balance between the professional, pre-teaching tasks and the personal service ones that are so important to high quality life. And you must not delay in getting the new segment of your sabbatical journal begun. Winter can be a busy time. You may stop for awhile, but be sure that you return at a more receptive time.

7:34 AM / 9:39 AM

The geographic movement in your country is toward the south, away from the cold of winter. You have observed that a time of winter seems to be closer to “real life” as I bless and sustain it than everlasting warmth and sunshine. This is an important truth. For most people spiritual growth (that growth of final importance) is achieved best with life situations akin to the four seasons, including a time of winter.

Oh, you can be in a tropical paradise and note that everything seems to grow all year round. Days and nights are warm and wonderful. Why should there be any time of winter? For some plants and animals the eternal warmth is “just right”, but these cannot be transported to another clime. In your south, vegetables and fruits grow in the warm winter months, but when the cold air reaches down, the plants cannot adapt.

The human analogy is not exact… but close enough. Some people grow spiritually in good times. They worship Me, they pray, they read and study the Scriptures, and they serve others, as individuals and as the church. But then comes tragedy… a time of winter… a test for the growing faith. Does it sustain or is there turmoil and an overemphasized wish for the return of summer? The papaya tree produces a delicious fruit, but if it were planted out next to Michael’s pine tree it would have drooped to the ground and perished, while the pine stands beautiful and grows in all seasons.

You looked at the little pine down the road the other day, trying to discern whether it shall survive and grow. Its buds of growth for spring seem to be in place. It survived the hardship of summer, and now must do the same through the winter. Most of its companions died. It survives to grow and become.