For weeks I bemoaned winter.
I had grown weary of the cold, of the sick kids, of the just plain crazy that comes from being stuck inside all day long. I longed to see a speck of green. Get out, winter! You are no longer welcome.
And, then, the other day, I was standing in my closet trying to decide what to wear. My eyes landed on a spring shirt. All of a sudden my stomach knotted up a bit. Now that spring has arrived, I won’t be able to wear a fleece pullover or sweater everyday. I can’t wear a scarf on a day I don’t particularly care for my neck. Now, I’ll have to wear short sleeves. And Capri pants. And even shorts. My pale skin will be out there for the world to see.
I’ll be exposed.
All of a sudden, I wasn’t in such a rush for a new season. And then I stopped short. How many times have I chosen to stay in the winter of my soul because I’m too afraid of what lies beneath the layers?
None of us readily admits that we like those dark times in our life. But for me, if I’m really honest, there is something comforting about wrapping up in layer after sinful layer; making up excuses and allowing myself to stay there; because I’m afraid to be exposed.
I am in a season of shedding my layers. And lest it sound like something I am doing, don’t be fooled. God has cut deeply into each layer, and peeled it back. Just when I think we’ve reached the end of the layers, another cut is made.
You just don’t realize how dark the winter has been until you see it in the light of spring.
It’s God’s story over and over: new from old; beauty from ashes; life from death. Spring from Winter. I’m standing in Spring’s light, pale and exposed. But just as the sun will kiss my winter white skin, the Father is shining Light on my soul. There’s just a hint of glow where all that darkness used to be.
By: Kelly H.
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Kelly
What a beautiful reminder of our Lord’s gentle hand peeling back layers of our flesh. Thank you for sharing!!
Love this,
“It’s God’s story over and over: new from old; beauty from ashes; life from death. Spring from Winter. I’m standing in Spring’s light, pale and exposed. But just as the sun will kiss my winter white skin, the Father is shining Light on my soul. There’s just a hint of glow where all that darkness used to be.”
I’m holding onto this today!! 🙂
Emily
Kelly,
I read this post with interest as this year when springs tree buds eventually turned into “fully clothed” trees I felt sad. Why? I wasn’t sure, but I knew I wanted to linger in the winter change to spring…wanting to hold onto the hope and promise of spring, but realizing my summer or fullness of life was not a reality yet in my life. I don’t want to appear filled out and full because I’m more accustomed to the bareness of winter. I see summer as more of the hiding and covering over…winter is a time of revealing the limbs that support the life and growth.
Anyway, just a blessing to know that someone else experiences the rhythm of the seasons in a personal way and that we are each unique in our journey with God and the Holy Spirit Counselor.
May you have a blessed day.
Kelly,
I am blown away by the beauty in your *seeing* what He does in our lives. He takes our even sorta-willing hearts that know we want more, but we’re too afraid, and he ever so gently molds us. He exposes us where we need exposing and He gives us His freedom to stand in that nakedness and receive His warm robe.
Being honest with our fears invites Him into our hearts in a deeper, more personal way. It’s okay to be afraid. And it’s okay to want to hold on to what has for so long brought us comfort, even though we know it’s not best for us. Let Him do the revealing and the transplanting.
Rich blessings…
Amy
And His Glory will shine through you. Beautiful words. Beautiful wisdom.
I, too, am in a season of shedding my layers. Not easy or fun. It’s a never-ending process that I grow weary from, but the fruit I bear afterward is worth every painful layer being stripped away. Thanks for sharing so eloquently your feelings. I can RELATE!
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything more beautiful. Such wisdom in these words. I’ll forever be grateful that you shared them. God bless you! Thanks!
Love this, Kelly! “It’s God’s story over and over: new from old; beauty from ashes; life from death.” What an amazing God we have to take our winter dross and convert it into the beauty of His Spring touch.
Also loved visiting your blog!
Many blessings,
Lisa Buffaloe
I had some similar thoughts when I put shorts on recently and realized I had an ugly scar on my shin from a winter collision with a stool. How much I’d like to hide my emotional and spiritual scars under layers of protection instead of letting God shine His light on them and use my scars to help others heal! Thank you for your beautiful thoughts today!