To be such a short month, February sure is a long month. Always has been. The change of seasons is a glorious gift from God. Who doesn't love the smell of spring or the hot beauty of the summer sun or the refreshing crispness of fall? Autumn leaves--wow, what a Creator! And winter... winter's good, too. Loved the snow last weekend. When you really think about it, snowflakes are one of those God-gifts that blow you away when you truly examine them. Such delicate, unique little packages of white glory floating down from our Father. Yes, thank You, Lord, for Your relentless and ever changing gifts. Just about the time you start to grow immune to spring's glory, along comes summer. And when you feel you just can't sweat through one more searing day, well, here comes the first brisk fall day.
But February... sometimes this just seems like a slogging month. As in slog on through it, day after day, after day. The excitement of December is past. January's fresh new start and cold days now forgotten. Even Valentine's Day--always a great excuse for chocolate--history.
And now, as always, it's slogging time. Another "wintry mix" today. ugh. I'm really starting to dislike that combination of words. "Wintry" is okay. Makes me think of sleigh bells and hot chocolate by the fire. I'm good with "mix" too--as in mix up the ingredients to make a cake or "let's add something new to the mix." Fine words, both of them.
But, Lord have mercy, put them together... and you get school delays and closings, traffic snarls, long lines at the grocery store, messy laundry rooms, and slips and falls on the icy pavement. Sigh. And it always seems like February is the longest short month in the year for the dreaded "wintry mix" and just generally slogging through 28 more days of a winter you're ready to leave behind.
I think Shakespeare was referring to February when he wrote "Now is the winter of our discontent." No doubt about it.
So Lord, the time has come to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and come to You by faith rather than wallow in our feelings. Boy, it's so easy just to give in to our emotions rather than walking by faith in our forever faithful Father. And why on earth would we choose to do that? Why do we choose to slog along by ourselves when He wants us to soar in Him?
I just read this morning: "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" (Ps.32:10-11) It's a choice--to be glad in Him, for in Christ there is always abundant grounds for rejoicing and shouting for joy.
And I also read this morning the ever-faithful "do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil.4:6-7)
Thank You, Father, even for February and wintry mixes. Thank You that You are in control of ALL things, and You tell us to be anxious about NO things but to come to You with thanksgiving and prayer for ALL things. I can't see much room for equivocating in those words! Definitely no room for my grumbling and slogging and fretting. Nope, time to leave slogging behind and start soaring in Him.
So February... bring in on! My Father's in control of every one of your days, February, and since He's the Author even of wintry mixes, they are a gift from Him. Sometimes I can't see it... but that's why He's given us eyes of faith. Because with God, every day is a new opportunity to rejoice in Him as we walk through this adventure of life. To God be the glory.
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