After a Wintry Week
Last week the sky offered an unexpected gift of time.
~ Margaret Renkl, The New York Times, January 22, 2024
I woke up this morning to a beautiful reflection by Nashville-based writer, Margaret Renkl, about last week’s freezing temperatures and icy streets. Renkl acknowledged the laments of the week: people unable to get to work and losing their pay, having to drive in risky areas because of jobs that can’t be done from home, those who have no home searching for shelter.
Then, Renkl turned her attention to the wildlife in her yard and her neighbors’ children playing in the snow. She paid attention to what she hadn’t noticed before and sensed a holiness in the world that she would not have seen without a winter storm.
I can’t help but think about what the kingdom of God looks like when I think of last week’s weather. There is much work to do. There are needs to meet and changes to make to ensure all God’s children are safe and fed. And we must not miss the blank canvases that God gives us to pause and be with him in gratitude and generosity.
Modern-day “inconveniences” can be invitations to remember we are not in control. We learn a little more about surrender and acceptance, about humility and awareness.
What lessons did last week’s ice and snow and cold teach you?
What are changes you will make as a result of the sky’s gift of time?
all good things to each of you,
dr. darian