Time is of the Essence.

I'm sitting at my desk in front of my lap top and as I type, I'm looking through the bay window in front of me. The sun is shining, but snow is covering the roof tops of every house as far as my eyes can see. The tops of some cars are practically covered and there is no grass in site from the white mask all over the ground. I inhale and exhale deeply....I'm feeling down because I know it's a whopping 5 below zero outside. The breeze is blowing and the wind grabs and whirls around the snow, spreading the white mass evenly on the ground. At this very moment I wish I could fast forward time and make the summer appear. I'm desperate to shed the heavy winter coat, sweaters, boots and hats. I'm yearning to wear sandals and sun dresses with my hair blown out and my sunglasses propped on the crown of my head... I want to feel the warm breeze caressing my shoulders, arms and face. I miss the hot sun, tan lines and leisurely walks in the park. I want to hear birds chirping and see beautiful flowers blooming. I feel time is dragging by slowly.

In the background the television is on channel 7 news and there is talk of stock prices falling, gas prices rising and companies in need of more bailout money. The bad news...this fallout is resonating across the world. The joblessness, foreclosures, repossessions and empty malls make me want to once again fast forward to better times. Then suddenly my eyes shift to a beautiful pot of lilies sitting on the ledge of my bay window, the orange and red colors so vivid. My mood is instantly uplifted. Some of the flowers in the pot are fully bloomed and some still young, slowly day by day expanding and getting brighter in color. Their stem slightly leaning to the side and petals only partially open until their growth gain momentum. The ones in full bloom are expansive, standing strong and vivid in color. As I relate this scenery to my life, I start to realize that life is all about seasons. We are hasty to rush through the rough spots in life and get to the part where times are happy and we are strong and confident for all the world to see. But the truth is, seasons are what we are made of and more importantly everything has a beginning, middle and end. As I put myself in a positive frame of mind, I begin to respect the importance of seasons. Winter is a time of hibernation, a time to relax, rewind, reflect and rejuvinate. The spring is a time of awakening and renewal. The summer is a time for enjoyment and gathering. Autumn is a time for preparation and celebration. I close my eyes, realizing that relaxing and rejuvinating is exactly where I need be at this season in my life and it's vital that I enjoy this time and the lessons that comes with it.

Life is also about expanding and contracting. For many years we appreciated the expansion (fake as some of it may have been), we enjoyed the good times, but now, for many it's a time of meager means and slim pickings. Through this experience many of us have replayed our lives over and over, asking ourselves what we would do differently if we could turn back the hands of time, how we would save better, shop less and not take so much for granted. These lessons are important for our growth... Without seasons and hard times, many of us would not be able to appreciate the true meaning of life. When we rush through life, we miss the important lessons in between. I'm learning the importance of fully being present in all circumstances in life and appreciating the bad as much as I appreciate the good....it's called balance. I'm thankful for all the seasons and the hues that my life takes on day to day. It's not always easy, but i'm most grateful for each day that God gives me because it's another day, another season and another reason to forgive myself and try to be the best person God intended me to be.

Today is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

Have a wonderful and blessed week.