Glimpses of Spring are Gifts From God

As we grow weary of winter we can find that gifts from God come in many forms, a ray of sunshine to even the snowflakes that fall. Laura shares…

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth” (2 Samuel 23:2-4)

It has been a strange winter. We’ve had a few snowstorms that have dropped a foot or so of precipitation at a time; single-digit temperatures and below-zero wind chills. Conversely, there have been breaks where the thermometer has reached 60 degrees and the snow melted.

We are accustomed to snow so when the weatherman predicts six inches to a foot no one panics. We make sure we have provisions at home–gasoline for the snow blower and batteries in the flashlight. Many around here own four-wheel drive vehicles so snow doesn’t stop us too easily.

I was thinking about the weather changes and marveling at it and how it compares to our health and choices at times. I have fallen asleep after a winter melt with the grass brown and dingy only to awake to beautiful snow piles covering the grass, making everything look fresh and renewed.

Granted, if this is still happening in April (yes it has) it will be frustrating, but for now it is encouraging. To me it symbolizes a fresh start to another day.

Each day of our lives, God gives us opportunities. Every 24 hours is comprised of choices. We choose what to think and do; who to spend time with; how often to pray and how to handle the setbacks that come with chronic illness and life in general. We also should remember to celebrate our accomplishments.

Do we recognize the little victories we have or do we mourn the losses that chronic illness creates? Do we try to enjoy our day despite physical limitations or do we let anger slip into our pours?

We do have choices. Sure, sometimes it can be very difficult and our days our troubled. But I look at the snowstorm and the beautiful clean slate it creates as a metaphor for each new day that God provides. We have an opportunity to embrace and try again, because we have this day–this gift from God.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving us the marvels of nature. Where I live we will soon be looking for signs of spring–including tulips popping from the ground–as we prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ. Thank You, for these reminders in nature of the love You provide to us. Amen.

About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband and three kids. She retired from her job as an elementary school counselor in 2012. She is writing a book about her struggles with dysautonomia–a neurological condition in which the autonomic nervous system malfunctions, affected such things as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature regulation.

What signs of nature help you cope with your daily struggles? What gifts from God have you noticed around you?

This is a great song by Mandisa called “Good Morning.” Hoping it blesses you as it has me! -Lisa