Thursday, January 14, 2010

Signs of Life


Daffodils,Cache Valley Utah

For me,it always happens about this time every year.At least since moving to Oregon in 1991.My birthday,anniversary and Thanksgiving are over.These all happen about the last week of November.The hustle and bustle,the beauty and joy of Christmas and New Year's are past.And I'm left with,what feels often like dull,drippy and often dreary January.Gray skies for days and often weeks on end are the norm.Same with the rain.Storm after storm rolls in off the Pacific.I am not a meteorologist so I do not know why we get so much rain here in the winter.I just know that we do and it's this time of year that I begin to look forward to signs of spring.Winter may have only arrived less than a month ago on the calendar but I often begin to look forward for signs of spring.Any little sign will do.Any bit of hope of it's impending arrival.A bit of bright green poking it's head from under brown,winter weary earth.Will it be a crocus,a daffodil or a tulip?I wonder and my eyes continue to look about for signs of life.I begin to scan the trees for little bits of yellow-green fuzzy caterpillars.New growth that will eventually turn to flower and then leaf!My winter weary eyes and soul long for some color.Although the winter landscape has it's own monotone beauty I long for color,real color,brightness in otherwise dreary days.My life has often been like that when it's cavalcade of storms have rolled in.And there have been many at times and in different seasons as well.Unfortunately they could not be planned for often times.They hit without warning(like my husband's heart attacks in the past,or my bout with cancer).There was no way to prepare.Life became one long winter it seemed.A years long January.The past was a memory,the winter had settled in upon our lives,and I was longing for spring to once again reign down it's warmth and beauty upon our lives.But for awhile it was not to be.And at times I doubted.Doubted spring would return.Doubted even my Heavenly Father's love for us.And in some ways I am still waiting for spring.Life is not the same it was before.It's changed.Long winters cleanse the earth with it's sometimes torrential downpours.Heavy winds can often cause massive damage.The landscape of our yards and our lives changes.Leaves things looking different.I know that the view outside our windows have changed based on the storms that have come through off the Pacific.And the storms that have assaulted our lives personally have changed me.On both the inside as well as outside.I still continue to look for signs of life and spring in both our lives as well as the trees and soil outside our windows.And I know they will both come for I know that we have a God who can be trusted.And as spring follows winter in the natural world I know spring will arrive in our lives once again.And always on time.:)
Blessings~Sharon

6 comments:

Denise said...

That is just beautiful...... You really can write girl friend. I was taken by it and drawn into it and I too experienced the grays mixed with the hope of Spring.

I pray that the Father God will burst forth in your heart today and you will experience SPRING in your soul...... Joy in your SPIRIT and a great renewal in your body....

You really should think about writing..... Maybe you already do..

I have an award over at my place for you.......

Hugs

Sharon Goemaere said...

Denise:
Thank you so very much for the encouraging words on my writing.I do write.I have kept a journal for years now,have some poems nearing publication in a book,more poems that may go into a second book,2 songs I need to just"tidy up"and am thinking about a devotional book.So your encouragement means a lot to me.Thanks so much.Love you lots girlfriend.Will stop by your blog to retrieve my award soon.Thanks for that as well.:)~Sharon

Denise said...

Just checking on you to see how you are doing? I do not get over to Face Book much any more so thought I had better come say hello here..

My thought are looking toward Spring!

Suzanne said...

This is a lovely post Sharon. Yes, spring will arrive, but until then, enjoy the warmth of God's presence through the long cold gray days. I pray that soon those daffodils will poke their head through the moist soil and smile up at you.

Thanks for visiting me on my blog.

Sharon Goemaere said...

Hello Denise!
I have been at Facebook some but mostly doing a lot of offline reading and cleaning here at home.:)Early spring cleaning I guess... LOL...Thanks for stopping by dear friend.:)Love ya~Sharon

Sharon Goemaere said...

Thank you Suzanne!I am seeing spring's signs already here.Daffodils and crocus are starting to send up slender green shoots all over town and I saw some Camellia bushes in full bloom!We've also had some sunny days this week and it's staying light till after 5 pm now!:)All very good signs.\0/Blessings~Sharon