Rest. It’s a fact of life that all God’s creatures and all living things need a time of rest, a chance to replenish. It’s what the winter season is all about. The animals slow their pace, and many hibernate. Plants die back to the ground to give their roots time to strengthen and spread. Trees drop their leaves until spring warmth stirs the sap to rise from their roots again and encourages fresh growth.

I need rest as well, but I don’t feel that I need to be cold to become rested. Quite the contrary, my wrinkled body and frazzled brain could use a good, healthy dose of the tropics right about now. Since that isn’t going to happen anytime soon, I find it helpful to take a lead from Pastor Dennis’ sermon last Sunday and make an “attitude adjustment.” And isn’t it appropriate that all last week, my life included continuous reminders that attitudes often need to be redirected. It’s certainly not the first time that Pastor Dennis and I have been on the same page when preparing our messages. Even though our approaches differ, we’re both all about correct attitude alignment this week.

God wants us to be content in the place he has planted us. He wants us to grow and to flourish, but sometimes we just want to be somewhere else, so we begin wandering that lonely road to nowhere. There’s an old saying, “Wishing won’t make it so,” and I’m here to tell you, no truer statement was ever made. Instead of wishing for a warmer climate, I need to redirect my focus toward cold-weather projects to keep myself occupied until warmer temperatures return. If our meteorologists are correct, things may be looking up this week.

It’s still too early for plants to creep above the earth’s surface or for tender green leaves to sprout, but maybe a little exploring around the

 yard can uncover signs of life right on the cusp of making an appearance. My Lenten rose keeps leaves all winter, as do the coral bells, though they aren’t as lively looking as they will be soon. I’m curious to see how they’ll look as their blanket of snow melts away. That blanket may well have protected them from the extreme cold we’ve recently experienced. It’s pretty amazing how roots can survive under the protection of the earth and even spread. I’ve often been amazed when I’ve planted what appear to be completely dry roots, just sent from a nursery, and then watch them come to life with the right soil, temperature, and water.

They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Isaiah 44:4

I’m a lot like those plants by the time winter is nearly over, and spring is nipping at its heels. My mind and body long for warm sunshine and new growth. I’m more than ready to start on new outdoor projects, and I’ve acquired several interesting ones over recent weeks. I can’t wait to see how they will turn out.

Until that happens, however, perhaps I should turn my thoughts toward strengthening my own dry roots. They could certainly use a shot of food and water. I’ll start with extra devotional reading during Lent….that’s not far away, you know. And I can always add some extra prayer time. Maybe someone in the neighborhood would appreciate a phone call or a text just to be sure they’ve made it through our bitter cold all right. Maybe I could write a few letters to reconnect with friends and family. I can also read a good book, work on a puzzle, or spend some time on a current pen and ink drawing. It seems I’m blessed with quite a few great ideas to fill my winter days in my warm, comfy house, my fortress when the wind howls and the snow flies, as it surely will again before winter gives way to spring. In my newly acquired frame of mind, I can face the remainder of winter knowing I am truly blessed.

When we find ourselves wishing to be somewhere else and in another time, just like I’m wishing to be in a warmer climate right now, we need to remember God really does want us to be content and thrive where He has placed us. We didn’t get where we are all on our own…

He placed us just where He wants us for a very specific reason. Maybe that reason will become apparent today if we just refocus our attitude and open our minds to the unending possibilities God offers us! We don’t have to live life in the fast lane all the time….sometimes we just need to stop and rest in order to thrive.

….and may the people thrive like grass in a field. Psalm 72:16c