While William Shakespeare first penned the phrase, the 鈥渨inter of our discontent鈥�, others refer to the 鈥渨inter of the soul鈥� but these past two weeks I am learning lessons found in 鈥渢he winter of what seems like forever鈥�.
Totally housebound for the past eight days, I鈥檝e found myself ploughing through all sorts of emotions brought on by my inability to be racing from one commitment to another. It鈥檚 also been a week of soul-searching and coming up with the realization that I truly needed this time to reflect, rethink and revamp. To begin with, there was the deep-rooted fallacy that my worth is determined by how much I accomplish in any given period of time. Of course my theological side would deny that assumption but I had to face that cold reality.
Next I am learning to enjoy doing crossword puzzles without writhing under a load of guilt for wasting time. It鈥檚 been tough, as have the puzzles, but I鈥檝e contradicted feelings of guilt by patting myself on the back for solving some tough word challenges. Looking up from my spot on the chesterfield I admitted that the meals were all made and served on time, the laundry was done, office work up to date鈥o I had every reason to enjoy myself by indulging in relaxation.
In speaking of the Genesis record, author Gordon MacDonald notes that God rested once the work of creation was done. 鈥淭his remarkable rhythm in the work of God ought not to be taken lightly鈥�. He points out that too often we see time away from work as a waste but 鈥溾�hat certainly doesn鈥檛 reflect a Biblical view of things.鈥�
Now so grateful for this brutal winter, I鈥檓 doing puzzles between frequent periods of worship.
鈥溾�his聽is聽the rest聽with which聽You may cause the weary to rest鈥︹�� (Isaiah 28:12)
