Winter

I've been reading a small daily devotional -- nothing major, but a "non-educational" use of my Bible, which is nice. Today the reading talked about winter -- winter that covers the earth with cold, that hinders the flowers from blooming, and the winter that enters ours souls. The periods of time we feel disconnected from God, or the periods of time when we cannot see the blooms, or we feel useless. I've felt as though I've been in my own "winter" since August. Since the end of July I've been earnestly praying for God to grow me, to stretch me, to change me to be the person he wants for me to be. And he has -- though I didn't realize it. I railed hard against the very things I was yearning for, the very things I was crying out for -- though I was unable to see them happening.

I'm still in my own winter, but it's closer to spring. I'd like to say that would mean a full-time ministry position where I could be useful, where I could lead and teach, and where I could learn and grow. That's my hope. . .it will happen, I just want to know when. . .But, Moses had to walk into the Red Sea before it parted, right?

So, I'll use my "winter" to grow, to renew, and to prepare for the spring.

John 15:2-4