Maggie’s Pearls: Tired of the Season

Everyone is tired of the snow.

I had this thought the other day. Maybe it’s not snow that people are fed up with. I think people are tired of wearing the same winter clothing, mopping their wet floors, de-icing their cars, and shoveling their driveway. It’s the inconvenience of having to cancel and reschedule plans and meetings, finding activities to do with the kids inside the house, or having to go to work when all you really want to do is lounge by a fire, or catch up on the project you’ve been meaning to get to. It’s not really “snow” that people are fed up with. It’s the season.

I find that regardless of the season of life we find ourselves in, we always want to get to the next one. We’re thinking the next season will be better, more enjoyable, kinder, and more exciting, or more peaceful. Now that winter has come we want spring, then summer, then fall, then winter again. We think of the highlights of each. The sun, the flowers, the vacations, the presents, the parties, etc. However, the reality is, eventually everyone will complain about their Spring allergies, the Summer heat, Summer is over, the vacation that ripped us off financially, waking up early for the bus, etc. Summer is always a fun season to complain about (can you hear my sarcasm). People will complain about sweaty clothing and sweat marks, and about their non-existent beach body.

I’m learning a lot about contentment in this winter season. When we complain, or loathe the season we are in, we forget that seasons are to revive us, to equip us, to strengthen us, and to grow us. God allows us to walk through different seasons of life for both our benefit and his. We pray for patience and he gives us plenty of opportunities to be patient… most the time we fail, lash out, or simply ignore. If we can choose to wake up expectant of the good, the beautiful, and hope for the best, we probably would all be better off. This isn’t to say that “life” happens, and things don’t go the way we plan. They do. But regardless, the mind has the power to sway one way or the other. Choose contentment.

What season are you in and what are you fed up with? What season do you wish you were in and why? Ask yourself some questions and allow the circumstances in your life to stretch you, mold you, and help you become the better you. You may have to get off facebook too. Everyone’s “facebook season” always looks and seems better than the one you’re in, when in fact, their season may be worse. Don’t compare.