Hard Lessons from a Long Winter

Enough.

Done.

SO. Tired. Of.  IT.

These are the words that came to me yesterday as I watched the snow fall hard outside my window.  Not snow you could play in and enjoy, snow that melted when it hit the ground.  Just cold enough to be completely miserable and not useful.

Like this year.  A LONG winter (and spring).

As mentioned many times, it's been much rainier than normal, (I know, I know, we should expect rain in the northwest but it does not make it easier).  To add insult to injury, it's been much colder than normal.

We're breaking all records for any April ever recorded to not even reach (or even get close to) 70 degrees.  Our typical days run between 15 and 20 degrees below normal.  We're talking temps in the 30's at night and 40's during the day.  It's low 40's right now as I type.

With 2 out of 3 of our boys being just that, not being able to play carefree outside in the spring has been a wee bit trying as well.  Not to mention my sun-loving heart that longs for sunny days -- even sunny and cold, I'll take it!

I've watched friends come and go to sunny locations for get-aways and it's been really hard.  I WANT that sunshine to fall on me.  Ah, to be sun-kissed again.

Last year I walked through a long winter emotionally as I processed our miscarriage.  I'm really ready to be done with seasons of winter, however they hit.

This morning as I was praying and reflecting upon this year that has been more than disappointing and discouraging.  My heart's prayer is: "may this year's lessons taught in hardships, (yes, I do consider frigid weather and lack of sun a hardship), not be wasted.

And then, a few hours later, it was as if I was able to see this time through eyes with blinders removed.  I felt as if God was whispering, "Dear child, the little beauties you have found on given days and long to search for would not be as crisp and profound if you had been given 1,000 days of sun."

After reading and being inspired by, __One Thousand Gifts__, I have been searching for these lovely gifts from above each day.  I'll admit, some days have been very difficult to find these beautiful things to be thankful for.

On the days I do find them they are SO precious.  Treasures I will hold very dear to my heart.  It is as if they are shining for the sun that is not.

I'm wanting to glean all the lessons learned from this long winter (and spring) because something this frustrating and trying HAS to be used for good.  I may need to visit and revisit this entry and add to these lessons as they come to me.

There MUST be more that the Lord has for us than to simply complain about what HE has given or allowed.