Thursday, February 6, 2014

to find the light of new hope

I cannot even tell you what I have felt this winter season. What I can tell you is that it has been one of the hardest seasons of my life, although I am not sure as I can tell you why. But I have struggled like no other winter ever.

A couple Sundays ago I shared with a prayer group that I was legitimately having a spiritual battle due to the weather. I know that seems dramatic and drastic, but I strongly feel that way! My spirit has felt crushed ever since snow started covering the poor, defenseless grass. I am trying to move past this bitterness, as the cold and wind is doing enough today to make me bitter.

This past Sunday I had better news to share with my prayer group. Over the past couple weeks, God has been softening my heart to the weather. Again, I am sure I sound a bit ridiculous, but this has been a very real struggle for me (maybe I am starting to explore the idea that I am projecting other life struggles onto the snow, but I have not gotten far with that). 

Sometimes the snow slowly falls to the ground and there is no wind. That's beautiful.
After a fresh snowfall the fields and yards are flawless. That's beautiful.
And God still gives me exquisite sunsets every once in a while. That's so beautiful.

Not only did God give me these wonderful examples of beauty, but it happened at church too. We walked in and no one was there but a video was playing of a man who would alternatively sing and preach. After some time a song came on just for me. Since my Spanish is less than superb,  I am sure I translated it wrong, but God wanted me to hear this message from it:

This winter has been way harder than I can ever say
I have not seen spring in forever, dangit
Where on earth is the sun
My heart is super cloudy and my soul is basically dying over here
(this is where is gets really good)
I yearn for the sun to come out and shine
Shine bright from the heavens
and get rid of the frost that has been killing my heart

Then, as the pastor was praying, she mentioned that the winter might be hard for a lot of us, but that we might keep following. I love these little reinforcements.

I still yearn for better weather and I do not like having to wear so many clothes, but I am happy that I am able to find peace in this season. I praise the Lord for that.

He gives more grace.

And peace.



In case you really love Spanish, here are the full lyrics.
Jesús Adrián Romero - Brilla

Este invierno se extendió más de la cuenta 
hace tiempo que no veo la primavera. 
Hace mucho que no brilla el sol con fuerza 
se nublo mi corazón sin darme cuenta. 

Y añoro la mañana cuando el sol saldrá 
cuando brillara. 
Brilla, desde el cielo luz de vida, brilla 
Ven a deshacer la escarcha que 
este invierno me dejo este frio abrazador, ven. 

Duele el frío que ha dejado en mí tu ausencia, 
duele el aire al respirar, sin tu presencia. 
Ya mi aceite se acabó sin darme cuenta 
mi lámpara se apaga en la tormenta. 

Y añoro la mañana cuando el sol saldrá 
cuando brillara. 

Brilla, desde el cielo luz de vida, brilla 
Ven a deshacer la escarcha que 
este invierno me dejo este frio abrazador, ven

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Sun and Wind.


There were two times today that took my breath away. This was so special to me because it has not happened in so long. I had felt like I had lost my delight in nature, but it was restored. I was walking to work at about 5:52 pm. I turned a corner and...the sunset. I have seen many like it and many more beautiful, but this one was made for me to see. I had to stop. And when I was done stopping I took a picture because it was the reasonable thing to do. 

So my heart cracked a little in that moment. But it cracked in a good way. Winter had frozen it. And that sunset began the thaw.

I got to work in the stinkin' Cougar Den (on campus foodplace) only to discover that my Sunday shift was removed! Don't worry, I have been trying to drop that shift  since I picked it up. I was not even mad that I had walked all the way to campus for no reason (as we all know, there was secretly a reason).

I begin the trek back home and I basically have a skip in my step. That stops real quick when I encounter TORNADO SPEED WINDS. AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. It felt like real, full life was hitting me in the face. I was being filled by the most bitter and awakening wind of this epoch.

And there I was. 

Full.