Gentle Reminders

When I woke up the other morning and looked outside my window I was surprised by the light coat of snow covering the ground. I was suddenly reminded that we are indeed in the middle of winter. It was difficult to picture that since the temperatures have been relatively mild. As a matter of fact, the day before the light snowfall the temperature hovered around 52 degrees. This experience made me think of just how similar life can be.

Life sends us gentle reminders, much like that light coat of snow on a cold January day. We may find ourselves in the midst of one of life’s seasons, yet momentarily lose sight of our environment. Circumstances around us appear contradictory. We have reasons for which to be thankful, but we tend to forget because of everything we see around us.

Perhaps we are battling loneliness, pain, fear, or uncertainty. We may be facing a loss, heartbreak, disappointment, or an illness. Those conditions can make it difficult to remember the happier times of seasons past. We might find ourselves thinking that nothing will ever take us back to a more joyful place. Then, without any warning, the reminders arrive: a phone call or visit from a friend, the lyrics to a song, just the right message at church, much awaited good news…

All of a sudden we are gently reminded that this season will soon pass; springtime is inevitable.