Here are some winter wonderings.
February is the longest month of the year. Or least it always seems that way to me in cold wintry Ohio.
I once suggested to God that He move February to between July and August, so we would have an extra month of summer sunshine and one less month of dreary chilly mornings. Of course He never did this; perhaps that is why He is God and I am not. (Anyway some of my friends from the Southern Hemisphere probably wouldn’t have liked that either.)
Winter is a time of rest of my soul and reflection. During Lent and this frosty time of year I am wondering today about my Month of Writing Letters, my ongoing lessons about my word(s) of the year: STRETCH and ENOUGH, and my attempts at honoring the Sabbath.
Handwritten Letters During Winter
About a month ago I wrote about The Lost Art of Handwriting Letters and the Month of Letters Challenge.
So far I have written and mailed 26 notes to friends, some I see often and some I haven’t even met. What a gift this has been to me. I have received such sweet letters and notes from others – several surprising ones too. I am very grateful I participated in this event.
The challenge now? Keep writing a few letters each month.
Stretch and Enough – Words for Winter
These words continue to form the foundation of my contemplative prayers and my journaling.
New insights: I fully believe to be stretched involves getting out of my comfort zone, taking risks and learning new things. Stretching and Enough – are two movement of the spiritual life.
I realized this past weekend that stretch could also described my stretching out to reach towards God.
My outward hands – empty, open, willing – held upward, stretching towards heaven represent my yearning for God. I am reaching out for His mercy, peace, justice, truth and love.
The other spiritual movement is fully embracing the belief that God is enough. In His “enoughness,” I find that mercy, peace, justice, truth and love I am stretching for.
I never really connected these words before. They are the two ends of a teeter-totter, balancing one another.
Stretch is the longing,
Enough is the loving.
Sabbath Winter
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)
As I practice Sabbath more, honoring this day of rest, I am actually enjoying it and looking forward to a day unplugged from the world and plugged into God and my family. I wrote a few weeks ago about my ongoing failure at Sabbath keeping.
The biggest challenge has been turning off the technology from Saturday evening to mid afternoon Sunday but now the peace and quiet calls louder to my heart than the ting of emails. Interesting insight is what I was most reluctant to give up has now become a source of delight to let go. I am disconnecting in order to connect.
One book I am studying in this Sabbath exploration is “Keeping the Sabbath Wholly” by Marva Dawn. I like her outline of ceasing, resting, embracing and feasting. Not all negative focused on what we cannot do but embracing this Holy Day for all it offers.
“What we are depends on what the Sabbath is to us.”
Abraham Heschel
How have you grown spiritually this winter?
Thanks Robin. I am learning quite a bit with those two words and keep learning. Thanks for coming over today
Hi Tracie, keeping the Sabbath was something I wanted to work on for quite a few years and just never got to it. I am glad I took the challenge and am focusing more on a day of rest now. I can tell you the first few weeks were hard to plan and to break old habits but now I am seeing the benefits and actually look forward to Sunday. Thanks for stopping by today
So many beautiful things in this post. I love the connection you made between stretch and enough. I love the way you are choosing to keep the Sabbath. Thanks for giving me new things to ponder.
Happy Sharefest. I hope you have a lovely weekend filled with peace and joy.
I love the thought of keeping the Sabbath, and focusing on what it offers (instead of what you can not do). That is great. I need more Sabbath-keeping in my life.
Thank you Shelly. Yes it is hard to quit listening to the world and the false voices within us and just focus on God. But I am learning!
this blesses me Jean, reading how you went from struggling to turn off the noise to looking forward to it. Someone else recommended that book by Marva Dawn, I’ll have to get it soon.
Now I understand dear Grandma Nancy. No wonder March seems long to you. Baptized on Easter – what a day of celebration that will be!
Ah, but the entire long month of March stands between me and getting my hands on my dear grandson again–he’s being baptized on Easter Sunday 🙂
just a few each month, we can do it! Yes I think the birds need to be featured. probably next week. Thanks Laura
That’s my challenge, too — continuing to write a few handwritten letters each month! Post some of those wonderful backyard pictures, Jeanie, before spring hits!
Stretching does create the space for God. That is a wonderful visual! I really like that concept
I even heard from Mia who lives in South Africa where it is summer. She said Feb is too hot there. hard to imagine since we aren’t used to that.
The letter writing has been so rewarding. I never expected that.
So glad you stopped by Ruth and left a comment, The letter writing campaign has really warmed my heart. Gave me much more than I ever expected.
Yes March is almost here! I too have a winter wonderland in NW Ohio. hard to admit how pretty it is too. Love seeing the color of the birds contrasted against the white snow. Truly God’s beauty. Glad you came over. Thanks for stopping by
“Interesting insight is what I was most reluctant to give up has now become a source of delight to let go.” – Jean
Brilliant. Until we stop resisting the Lord and let him fill us, do we realize how good He has wanted to be to us if we will just let Him. The more we stretch and give Him room, the more He can fill.
Smiling over your idea to bring February right into the middle of summer. 🙂 …
About letters: I really feel this is a lost art. We received two letters in the mail yesterday, and I just kept reading and re-reading those words, admiring the loops and the ink and the message that someone took time to write especially for us.
Just stopped by from Wisdom Wednesday. So inspired by the idea of handwriting letters! I used to write so often as a child and I can’t remember the last time I sent a letter. Definitely will make a point of doing this. And I love the idea of keeping the Sabbath technology free 🙂
We’re almost to the end of February!! One more day for you! It is a winter wonderland here. 🙂
I love this thought:
Stretch is the longing,
Enough is the loving.
Taking that with me. Thank you!!
lot of ice and sleet today too, Dolly but it IS winter in Ohio. so glad you have some sunshine. That always perks me up. I am grateful for a warm house and not having to go out and drive this evening in the mess. My eye is doing much much better. In fact I think I will write a post about that adventure for Thursday. How have you been doing?
Oh, I can’t imagine how brr cold it is for you…okay, don’t hate me when you read my post for today and talk of sunshine, although I didn’t mention it was still cold, relatively, as in I still wore a down coat with gloves….really like your two words and your thoughts…How are your eyes recovering? hugs to you, Jean 🙂
I did think of you when I wrote this post. Odd for me to think of Feb. being the hottest month of the year. Tells us something about our perspective in life not always being universal, doesn’t it?
Blessings sweet Mia!
The HONORABLE month of March has some great birthday in it especially towards the middle THUS a month to celebrate. ( yes I am a March babe!) March can be difficult but once I get to March 1 I know spring is a-comin’!
Glad you are home but bet you miss holding that cute baby. Love the photos on Facebook and celebrating along with you. The one with your mom was wonderful.
DearJean
I am one of those who are so thankful our Lord didn’t stretch February! It is our hottest month of the year. I love to live in the continual Sabbath of our Pappa God, a life lived in our Lord Jesus, feasting at His table of love, joy, and rest everyday.
Much love, dear friend
Mia
I beg to differ, but March is the longest month. It lasts at least 8 weeks too long, that’s what I think.
Thrilled to come home to some handwritten mail. Still getting caught up here, but your words made me smile. Glad to see you’re receiving gifts in response to your thoughtful project.