Winter’s Gifts

Winter has grown on me over the years. I used to dread the stretch from post-holidays to spring, but I’ve learned to embrace that time of year for what it offers us. I still excitedly await spring, warmth, and nature’s colors, but this time of year also has beautiful offerings.

My oldest son picked a book from the library called Winter’s Gifts, and I feel it illustrated this time of year beautifully. It said winter gifts us rest and waiting.

It took until I slowed my life down to truly be able to embrace the gift of rest. Before, I just trudged through my lengthy schedule and to-do lists even though my body desperately wanted me to slow down and rest more. But rest is just what winter welcomes us to do, with more darkness comes more rest.

I really appreciated the book naming the gift of waiting. I had never thought of it this way before, but it really resonated with me. I love spring. As soon as I see the first sprouts pop through the ground, I’m out every day checking to see them grow and bloom to their full beauty. But if I didn’t have to wait for that season, I don’t think I’d appreciate it as much as I do. If I had spring weather all year round, I don’t know that I’d be so eager to spend all day outside in it as I am now.

Winter’s gift of waiting leads to a beautiful season of deep appreciation. I know spring doesn’t last forever, so I’m eager to embrace it. And that deep appreciation comes from the waiting.

I know for some this time of year looks much like the rest. Work still has its deadlines, kids still have their activities, and life is still moving along. But, where you can, I encourage you to lean into winter’s gifts of rest and waiting. Before you know it, this season will have passed and spring’s gifts will be welcoming us soon.