Winter Wonderland!

 February 6, 2017

Ordinary Time

Growing up in Michigan, I remember the slogan “Winter Wonderland” depicting Michigan’s winter beauty. We’ve long since given up that slogan for other slogans, but the term remains engrained in my psyche. It is a way to get through drab, dreary cold winter days by focusing on the beauty of snow covered hills and streets and outdoor activities, like skiing, skating, sledding.

We experience “winters” in our lives, times that are harder than others, times of struggle when you want to give up, throw in the towel and walk away; struggles that feel like they will never end. Marriages also experience “winters” when it seems easier to give up than to try to navigate through the storm.  Research shows that couples who weather through these difficult times and stick together rather than divorce, come out happier on the other side. Sometimes you just have to ride out the storm.

Storms are an ordinary part of life. In the midst of a winter storm, if we can find positives to focus on to help us get through, we will come out on the other side, stronger for the experience. We can turn a winter of discontent into a wonderland.

For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth.   Song of Solomon 2:11-12a

This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year. Click to follow blog