Thursday, February 27, 2020

Winter and Lent

Two topics for the price of one today:

First I wanted to talk about winter and how I am not ready to let it go yet.  I mentioned that yesterday I was looking forward to the snow we had coming this week and I was not ready for spring yet.  I have always been someone that loved spring and summer best and dreaded the long winter months, so I surprised myself by feeling this way.  I always do try to love where I am at any given moment, whether that is a season of life or an actual season.  Winter isn't over yet so I am embracing it while it is here, and when the true spring shows up (not just one day of warm temperatures) then I will embrace that as well.

We haven't really had much of a winter really, and in Southern Ontario the season follows along with the calendar a bit more, unlike Nova Scotia where I grew up and it could be cold until April, and you'd still be shivering on a patio in May pretending it was spring.

Taking up skiing as a hobby has definitely fuelled a love of winter, and having kids that you can go sledding with (which we've only done once), or make a snowman (which we haven't done at all) also helps, but it is more than that too.  In the winter time, you're sort of allowed to take it slow and be a little lazy.  If it's dark and cold outside, then you can stay in and watch movies with cozy blankets, or if you've been outside shovelling all morning, you are permitted to nap in the afternoon.  Winter weather means you can maybe leave work early or make excuses to work from home (although more difficult for me now that I take the subway).  Summer has its own lazy days but winter means sticking close to home is acceptable.  When it's summer I always feel like we are out biking, attending one of E's games, playing at the playground, going for runs and hikes, or finding a pool.  And I love doing those things too, but right now I'm happy to just spend the day inside around the house and not feel bad about doing that.

So bring on these last few weeks of winter, and then when April comes, I'll be ready to say good-bye to the snow.








And I also wanted to talk about Lent.  Lent started yesterday and I have been out of touch with church since Christmas as we have been skiing on Sundays instead.  I enjoy going to church and I have missed it. I have not had a good idea of what I wanted to do for Lent this year. I usually try to come up with something and then never follow through.  I don't like giving up something entirely, I prefer adopting a good practice.  Two things I will try to do, even if I am not perfect, will be to go for a little walk each day just to move around and if possible go outside for some fresh air.  It is important to take a little time for myself and if I'm feeling particularly pious I can think about what Lent means during my walk and do a little praying.  And the other thing will be to read along with the 40 days of poems that my church will be posting on their website and Facebook page.

Yesterday's verse was from Ephesians 3:18-19 -

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

This is a great one to start since it is the love of Christ that is at the root of all things.


4 comments:

  1. I hear what you're saying about winter, both in that it hasn't been too bad this year, and that it's a more acceptable time to stick close to home. I think you hit upon why I'm ready for spring -- our winter activities (dance, piano, a club for Sam, Hebrew every other week, and then church and synagogue) are still going strong and so we aren't able to stick close to home. I've had to get up early every morning there is snow to shovel and brush off the car, I can't bike to work, and we rarely get a chance to be at home.

    In spring it will be easier to get around, Sam isn't doing ball this year so we won't have that, and dance, piano, synagogue, and Sunday School end. By the middle of May all of our stuff will be done and we will have time as a family.

    Sorry for the long winded comment but your post helped clarify for me why I'm soooooo eager for spring, even though, as I said above, and you mentioned to, this winter hasn't been so bad.

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    1. I had to think it through too, but from the opposite side. I am usually so excited about spring, I was wondering why I was still happy about the snow :)

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  2. That is a good passage. I like that idea of reading 40 poems.

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  3. Love your intentions for lent and what a lovely perspective on winter!! I have quite enjoyed this winter and the hygge it brought as well...

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