Tuesday, February 12, 2008

winter of my life

After 8 weeks of an unusually cold and stormy winter, today we had sunshine for 10 hours and hit 50 degrees. I soaked it all up in a profound happiness, and pledged to remember this feeling. It was like God reminding me that there is a warm sun behind the clouds, and green grass under this foot of snow.

This is just a season. Not the season I prefer, but one with its own splendor. With its own purpose. Even tulips require long, hard winters to bloom. The deeper you plant them, the stronger they grow.

I thank God for my trials that strengthen me. They strengthen me because I rely on Him. I remember Him. I grow when I get on my knees in complete humility and thank Him for life, and then beg Him for more of it.
I love this picture (taken 2 years ago). Timp reflecting off our window, boys in yellow, green grass, pink tulips, and Luke crawling out the front door to find momma. Come and kiss me baby!

10 comments:

Ashkii said...

Alisa,

Thanks for eloquently stating how we all feel about the seasons of our lives and inspiring us to be better.

Ashkii

Sonja said...

I hope your spring comes soon! I think we'll all appreciate it more thanks to you.

Tiffany said...

Ahhhhhhhh......Spring. New life.

Kirsty said...

what a great way to look at both winter and trials. Thanks, Alisa

Kirsty said...

oh, that was Anne, not Lou!

Kelli Proctor said...

Spring is awesome for new beginnings! Yours will be awesome! I was thinking about you today and I was also thinking about my dad. I was thinking about his trials (heart attacks and strokes) that made him into such an even more incredible soul than he already was. It caused him to reach inward and upward and become an even more amazing person. I would never tell you how to feel or even pretend to understand how you feel, but I do know that God gives us those "winters" to become who He sees us as and then we appreciate the spring and the sun shining so much more later on. Always in our thoughts and prayers....

mamabear said...

I went out yesterday and bought a ton of live plants, just to see something green and alive. I'm not sure that my skills envelop house plants, but they will at least cheer me up until those hardy crocus sneak out. I think I love my garden because I spend so much time on my knees thanking Heavenly Father for the beauty and majesty of the world. Thank you Alisa for your beautiful words of wisdom. You may not be photographing the world, but we are seeing the beauty of the world through your words.

Matt said...

I always feel like my comments are too lame to leave on your great posts. You rock.

jennie said...

Love this post. Thanks for the reminder, that there is sunshine after the storm. xoxo

Jon Paul said...

I'm with Matt. What can you even say more? We love you, Alisa.
I had a dream last night that we were taking pictures together and you said that you didn't like my camera. I was crushed.