Waiting for Spring

Another January Sunday morning, preparing for service, waiting for spring, the snow melting, birds at the feeders, hanging off of the suet wires.  Out on the front lawn a squirrel is climbing a thin, dead, broken branch, that is hanging down the side of the tree, moving upward.  How he had the faith to believe he would make it up the dead branch, I don't know.  He never lost a step.  I sipped my tea as I  watched the snow flurries swirl by my window.  I had enough time to finish my breakfast and tea, get dressed and head out to church. 
My feelings are mixed, my emotions hang in a peculiar balance; the loss of two friends at work is more difficult than I can fathom.  I don't know what is going to happen at work and for now, I am not going to think about that.  I had a feeling that there was more to come.  Another employee that I didn't know  that well was let go also; I have worked with management in other jobs and what was happening did not make sense.  These are the things that make me feel very vulnerable; when one thing is said, and another thing happens. 
Unseasonably warm weather for the past two days have melted most of the snow.  Ugly dirty piles line the streets and the grass shows through the mud on the lawn, trying as hard as it can to look green.  But we are better off than the city; we don't have mini mountains of garbage outside of our house.
By sundown on December 26th, year after year, I start counting the days to spring.  I love that the days are getting longer, I love that I can look forward to spring.  I also love being snowed in and having the time to read, write, talk to friends, walk to neighbors' houses, dream; the list goes on.  But for today, I wait for spring and take down the Christmas decorations, pack away the tree, but leave up the candles in the windows until the Epiphany, while I await my own epiphany. 

Service this morning was good.  The worship was fantastic, as usual.  A newly ordained preacher from our church gave the proclamation.  But as all newly ordained, there was a weakness and hesitation about the sermon that could not be denied.  The Goodwill Church that I attend is newly built, with a large campus; the original church was built in 1735, the first pastor was Rev. Joseph Houston.  Our pastor today, January 2, 2011 is Pastor John Torres.  The message is the same.  Jesus saves.  God loves you, just you, just the way you are; you don't have to be perfect, you just have to be you, coming to Him.  Talk to Him, listen for Him.  Get to know Him. Enjoy the life He has given you.  Wait for Him, even if you think He isn't there.  He is.

http://www.goodwillchurch.org/