Winter

I write a little thing called Gardening Lessons for our church newsletter. It comes out about four or five times per year. I just finished the one for February so thought I would post it here too. Let a few more people read it.

Last night on television, a street reporter asked several people what they would prefer, the frigid cold with wind chill temperatures that feel like –40C or summer with mosquitoes. All but one said, the cold. I was rather surprised by that because I felt many people would prefer summer. But for me the answer to that question is exactly the same; I prefer the cold to the heat of summer. I did complain about the long cold spell a few times but most of the time, as a gardener, I think the winter is wonderful.

I look out of my windows, front or back, and see a beautiful, breathtaking view, that I had no hand in creating. Trees stand tall and proud, with glittering snow on their branches, silhouetted against a brilliant cobalt sky by day or cool blueness by moonlight. Drifting powdery snow has created interesting sculptures by my back door and the tracks of a brave squirrel across the back yard make me smile. Occasionally, you will hear the chirp of a chickadee and see it venture to the bird feeder and then ruffle its feathers in the warmth of the sun. All this beauty is a complete gift from God. I didn’t plant, water or weed. It is just his handiwork spread out to enjoy.

When we venture out for a walk, the crisp snow crunches beneath our boots and the cold air in our lungs feels renewing and invigorating. One day, we walked at dusk while a gentle snow was coming down. It was like diamonds falling from the sky all around us. I thought of Isaiah, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” And that is how the world seems: fresh and clean and cleansed by His Hand.

But for me, even better than the beauty of the snow outside is the joy of coming in. Frosting glasses just means that the house is warm, the kettle is waiting and we don’t need to fear the harsh cold. We live inside with very little awareness of the winter outside. I often think we take that joy for granted.

After I have been out, I love to be wrapped in a comforter with a warm beverage in my hand, reading a good book. I brew a pot of tea or coffee, snuggle on the couch, and keep an eye on the neighborhood and read mysteries, or devotional books, biographies or journals on teaching. Sometimes, I start to plan for spring planting but it is far away. I can stay in the winter cocoon for a while and appreciate it.

I do admit I don’t like the cold cars, the icy streets, the constant looking for lost gloves and scarves. By the end of March I will be ready for another favourite season and will probably want to grumble if it takes too long to come. But for now, I am going to enjoy the gift of my garden and home in winter: peace, quiet and breathtaking beauty.