Signs of Life

“There is a time for everything, and a SEASON for every activity under the heavens”, Ecclesiastes 3.  I don’t like all seasons, specifically, the current season of winter.  I do appreciate the winter season in August when the mosquitos are biting and West Nile lurks under every blade of grass.  But now, I only wish it good-bye and good riddance.  

Each January I start off with a renewed sense of purpose for the year, only to quickly lose it to the grey skies, soggy ground, cold temperatures and four walls which confine me.  Since I can’t get outside I tend to look in the mirror a little more.  From boredom, I suppose.  Yikes!  Do I need a tan or what?  No amount of blush or lipstick will perk up this pale face.  There’s nothing more to do other than hunker down and wait for spring.  Or, wait!  Perhaps I can look for signs of life among all the dead things around me.

I found this last week on my usual morning trek to the post office.  A mushroom of all things!  Just being all bright and beautiful on a day that offered nothing more than a sky colored somewhere between black and white, and a ground scattered with the needles of pine trees that have long lost their verdant charm.

This week this smiling face said, “Hello! Aren’t you glad you took the time to plant me last October?”  Oh, yes I am, you delightful little thing!

As I begin to get my eyes off the dead things and look for signs of life, I see life all around me.  A stolen kiss and clasped hands by my newly married son and his bride.  Life.  Tears streaming down my daddy’s face because he is laughing so hard at the antics of his grandchildren. Life. A bedtime text from my husband who is working out of town that reads, “Sweet dreams, my love.” Life.  A phone call with a friend who breathes laughter over me.  Life.  Hands raised in worship at church on Sunday.  Hands that tell stories of hardships and trials, yet still thrust toward heaven giving praise to the One who gives and takes away. Life.

Sometimes my own heart grows grey and cold and lifeless.  I collapse under the weight of it and wonder if I will ever conquer the sins that seem to have no other purpose than to kill me.  And then, when I think I will never see the sun again...Life comes upon me.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10