Hello Friends!!
For years, I always felt like the winter season should be summed up to just the month of December, where the holidays are the main focus, and then I would rush off to “wishing” away the next 3 months in hopes of an early spring. But I found that in doing so, I was robbing myself of the gift that the winter season can be. Yes I realize I just said that the winter season can be a gift, and before you think I’m crazy allow me to explain. Winter isn’t just meant to be summed up as the time when Christmas comes, and then we hurry off to the next season. There are tiny gifts tucked away in what can seem like an endless cold and dark season. Ones that I’ve begun to unpack for myself. So today, I’m sharing my thoughts on this underrated season, and how we can Embrace Winter together.
Join Me ~
I know that winter is probably the least favorite season out of the four. I know for myself this statement is true. While spring allures us with it’s aromatic fragrance, and first glimpse of green. Summer is anticipated for its’ long warm days, and unstructured schedule. And fall, perhaps the most anticipated of all, known for its’ beautiful display of color and cool nights giving us relief from hot summer days. I always have such a hard time choosing a favorite, but I can assure you winter has never come to mind.
Winter can feel desolate. Long, and dark, and cold, and sometimes endless here in the northeast. Once the holidays have passed, there doesn’t seem to be much to look forward to, until daylight savings and the return of spring.
But what if instead of wishing away the days of winter, we embraced them for the gift that they can bring?
A couple of winters ago I found myself standing at my kitchen sink, looking out on the winter scene that was in my backyard, longing for spring. Wishing for spring. As I stood there washing dishes, I asked God “What is the purpose of winter?” Knowing there is a reason for every season in life and in nature, I wanted to know why we “needed” winter.
As I looked out my kitchen window at our snow covered yard, and trees whose branches laid bare with no leaves at all, I kept thinking about this question, on why we needed an entire season where everything appeared dead, and there was no life at all. As I stood there wondering, the thought entered my mind “The trees aren’t dead, they are just resting”. And if the nature outside my window needs rest, then how much more do we?
Winter brings with it the Gift of Rest.
I love spending time working outside in our yard. Getting my hands in the dirt, planting things, growing, and pruning. Over the years I’ve come to learn just how essential pruning can be for my flower bearing plants. The idea seemed so crazy to me at first, to cut off the most beautiful flowers, but in doing so it allowed the plant to produce more.
Sometimes it feels like God speaks to me the most when I’m working outside in our yard. That my life is like the beautiful plant I’m tending too, and He is the faithful gardener. Showing me, how just like in nature, we go through different seasons as well. A time to sow, a time to grow, a time to prune, and a time to harvest. But what I never thought about before, was a time to rest.
How the soil actually needs a break in order to replenish its’ nutrients, so that it can be strong enough to support growth for the next season. Meaning that without the rest that winter brings, those beautiful blooms that come with spring and summer, wouldn’t be as beautiful (or maybe even produce at all) if the plant itself didn’t take time to rest.
We can’t embrace the Winter season for what it is, until we learn to appreciate what it does.
Once I learned that there is a purpose for winter, I was able to begin embracing winter a bit more. Knowing that just like in nature, this season won’t last forever, I began looking for ways to enjoy it. A cup of tea – as simple as that sounds, is something I only enjoy drinking in the winter. Activities that allow me to slow down and sit for a while. Putting together puzzles, sitting by the fire, reading a book. All things that in warmer months get pushed aside for outdoor chores and activities.
Once I began embracing winter, I was able receive the gift it brings – Rest. I can embrace the slower pace that winter has to offer. While it still might not be my favorite season, I have learned over the more recent years to embrace all that winter has to offer with a fresh perspective, so that I can embrace this season less begrudgingly, and more content with the gifts that it has to offer.
Very well said Thank You 🙏
The photographs you included in this post are so beautiful, Bre. I also have a hard time appreciating the cold and greyness of winter. It actually helps me to embrace the beauty when we have lots of snow as the landscape becomes so magical and sculptural. But the cold is hard as I am another cold-blooded reader!
The sentiments you’ve expressed here are so true and the reminder to embrace the season and the opportunity to rest is appreciated. Here’s to sitting back and storing up our energy while we can, as truly the weeks will pass swiftly and before we know it Spring will be here with all the hustle and bustle it brings.
Happy Winter, All!
Bre,
Thank you so much…what a blessing your words are. My husband and I live in Vermont where the winters are long, dark, and cold. Unlike most, I love winter…It does have its “downs,” but I LOVE being “stuck” home…..it’s meant to be our shelter in the storms of life…a safe, uplifting place of peace, and comfort….and winter draws us there. It’s a place/time to renew our spirits….to get still…that we might be drawn away from our busyness to rest, and renew our spirits. Many around us are suffering “burn out”…..the stress of trying to measure up to what the world around us thinks we should be. Winter brings with it an admonition…”be still.” God says “shhhh! Peace, be still.”
Thank you Bre for that reminder. I’m always cold it seems, so the winter months are not my fav! I too had wondered about the ‘whys’ of the winter months and so appreciate your reminder of the beauty in nature that we can learn from ‘resting!” I’m going to buy some snow pants and take a walk in the woods as I’m now retired and can do so. Thanks for your thoughts and insights!
That sounds wonderful Vicki! Taking walks in the woods was one of the turning points for me also 🙂
Love this! And needed to hear too❤️
We no longer live in the Northeast but have retired to North Carolina where wwinters are shorter and milder. This winter we have had more snow than usual and I can appreciate it much more since we don’t have to go anywhere. We slow down in the winter and enjoy the resting time. We are both gardeners and definitely need a winter break even if,we love being out in the garden. Today there is a new jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen counter and a big pot of ham and split pea soup simmering on the stove. Life is good in all seasons.
Well said, because as soon as spring starts we truly get busy with everything that needs done outside. Thanks I honestly never thought of it that way.
It is so true Marlene 🙂
Thank you Bre for these insightful and well written words!
Winter has always been my favorite season. I love the snowy scenes as well as the break from the heat. Maybe because I was born in winter … I’ve often wondered.
I love your concept of rest!
I’ve thought about the things God does in hidden seemingly barren places to bring forth new life/spring/ fruit etc. Beneath the surface, yet essential and purposeful for life to exist. Rest is surely one of those! Thank you for reminding me!!
Thank you Elaine 🙂
Well said! This last photo is sooo your palette!
Ahhh thank you Deb 🙂
Well said and I have finally embraced it this year too!! I am loving these cold days rather than the humid ones the summer brings in my neck of the Maryland woods. For me, Summer is the least favorite on my list. The coziness of the fire place roaring and the comfy blankets so we can cuddle up and watch a good movie or read good book, sign me up! Plus the fresh fallen snow, just beautiful on sunny cold days. Enjoy the rest!
I feel like I’m right there with you Linda. When I was a kid I loved summer, but the older I get the more I feel that changing over to winter, for those very reasons 🙂
Aah Bre, like you am not a Winter lover but you hit the nail on the head about it being a time of rest, come spring and summer we see the result of that rest in the garden, our Creator know what he was doing when he set the season. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you Bre for putting in to words exactly what God has been showing me this winter! I’m learning to really enjoy this season of “rest” now and
finding more and moments of appreciation for winter!
Blessings,
Linda
Ohh I love it when He does that! How we can stumble onto something, or hear something and it’s the very thing that He has been speaking to us, and it resonates so deep. Be blessed!!
Beautiful thoughts! Thank you for sharing. Living in S California where it’s 70 degrees average, I long for snow at times and winter weather that makes everything stop. Those sitting in frigid temps right now might find your words comforting. Slowing down in our weather has to be very intentional. Not always easy.
I can totally see how slowing down would be difficult. I love 70 degree weather it’s my favorite, but I too would have to be very intentional about taking time to rest as well 🙂
Hi Bre! I loved your story for today. Truly, Winter is a reminder for us to rest and restore, just as nature does. I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite winter plants. I’ve tried to figure out how to send a picture from my phone to you but I’m not tech savvy enough. I’m not sure where you live but you should look up a Flowering Quince shrub. I live in the Texas Panhandle (Lubbock) and it does well here. The shrub actually blooms in February here, in the dead of winter. The flowers are a peachy pink and they certainly brighten up my garden and my heart in the winter season. The rest of the year this shrub is rather homely, but it is glorious in the late winter (here) or very early spring. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of this winter season. I think the pictures of your winter garden are gorgeous. I love the snow sitting atop the plants!
A loyal follower,
Kathy
Thank you so much Kathy!! I will be sure to check out that plant too!!! It sounds beautiful 🙂
Lovely thoughts. I too love winter when it is quiet.