This winter has seemed like one that will never end! After several years of mild winters here in Missouri, this one has reminded us what a “real” winter can look like! But today the sunshine made an appearance! Even though the wind was cutting and I still thought it was freezing, the sun was all the kids needed! We came home from art class and instead of getting right to our school, I let them go soak up the sunshine!
I loved watching them run and play like it was a summer day! Their cheeks were rosy, but it was like they couldn’t even feel the cold because they were just so happy to feel the sun on their faces! They played hard and happily for several hours. And just as clearly as you could see the sun cast it’s rays across their smiling faces, you could see it’s enchantment warming their souls.
It was only after they got stuck in 6 inches of mud in the garden plot, that they finally came in. They may have been scrubbing off the layers of mud, but I know they were rubbing in the spellbinding joy of the sunshine and the touch of spring we felt.
As I watched them, I couldn’t help but feel a little prick at my heart. How often do I ignore the sunshine in my life and let the cold and darkness of this world become my focus? When I am fully embracing the joy of my salvation, the sun is warm enough to combat the cold. When I am sending up perpetual words of gratitude, the dark and drear doesn’t win. I know this to be true…but often I just simply choose to not run into the sunshine! Instead, I let the cold wrap around me and darkness consume me. I think we all do that at times. Choose to wallow, choose to find sorrow where we could find joy. I try to live my life making a conscience effort NOT to do this…but I don’t always succeed.
So, I’m going to try and remember those muddy hands, and sun-filled faces. I want to remember that those memories only happened because they chose to run straight into the sunshine, despite the chill in the air.
Winter is hard for me, seasonal depression is a real thing and if you struggle with it, you are not alone! If you need a friend to talk to, I am here. Reach out to a friend, they might be struggling, too! I will be trying to run into the sunshine and taking extra doses of Vitamin D! Spring is coming…but the sun is already here!
