When winters have been brutal, or at least cold, (which they always are in the Midwest) everyone wishes for spring and the warmer weather. Lamenting the cold and snow is the main topic of conversation because everyone knows about it, can relate and feels the same about the matter. It's the topic of conversation with perfect strangers (and even some not so perfect) on elevators and in passing them on sidewalks or store aisles when there may not be anything else to say to people you don't know.
I have observed that whenever there is a particularly bitter and memorable winter storm, it is followed shortly by a reprieve in a couple weeks. It warms up, most of the snow melts and then it rains. It's as if God is saying, "See, I am giving you a break and here I am, proving it."
Everyone says, "Oh, thank God spring is finally coming."
We almost forget it could get real cold again and the winter is not over. We even almost forget about any more snow for the season. After all, the thermometer has finally reached 40 degrees! Almost time to break out the swim suits. Spring is on its way for sure!
Then God seems to say, "Okay, I just wanted to give you a reprieve. Back to reality. I'm still in control."
And there comes more cold and snow or ice rain. Sometimes we get more than one break in additional warm-spree samplings.
But guess what. There comes a point when the sampling becomes the real thing and it's just around the corner now. When March rolls around, it doesn't seem to matter much what happens, even if a few emerging flowers get snow dumped on them for a short spell. Spring is so close, people are so happy about it being March and spring being eminent, they feel they can put up with whatever weather happens because March is the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. Sigh of relief. Big burden lifted off. Spring is just around the corner, even though the corner sometimes seems elusive; you know it’s there--somewhere.
It will mean watching spring burst forth with its new growth and our being able to be outside without bundling up, staying outside longer in the lightness of the longer days and just enjoying the summer in general.
God might feel like saying, "See? I told you things would get better and I always keep My promises. But don't get too used to it. There's another winter coming in few months. I'm just giving you a bigger break than the earlier smaller ones while Australia gets their winter now. But then I have to give them their big break."
Below is a little chart of definitions I have worked out for what each month represents in the northern hemisphere:
January: Endurance
February: Stamina, stubbornness
March: Hope
April: Promise
May: Newness, harmony
June: Tranquility, kindred spirit
July: Effervescence, prosperity
August: Brawn
September: Brevity
October: Compromise
November: Surrender
December: Acceptance
