By Pastor Devlyn Brooks
I’d be lying to you if I told you that this winter hasn’t gotten to me.
The seemingly endless series of snow storms. The fact that we have no place else to pile up the snow that comes in waves. The need to spend two days shoveling our roof to keep the pressure off the house. The ugly ice dam clinging to my raingutter just outside my front door. The difficulties in traveling for work this winter.
Do I need to go on?
Interestingly enough, winter never previously bothered me much. It was just another season, but this one for all the above reasons just feels like a crucible.
Can anyone else relate?
I was thinking about this very thing today when I spent another two hours moving snow around my yard, trying to find new places to blow it where my snowblower could manage.
This winter might be THE most perfect season to symbolize the progression of Lent we’re currently experiencing.
Lent is a solemn season of reflection and a desire to look forward to the hope that Easter Sunday brings. But it’s not an easy road to get from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week and finally to the glory of Easter morning.
Now tell me that doesn’t sound a little like what we’ve been experiencing this winter!
Honestly, as much as the weather makes it feel like we’re living inside the movie “Groundhog Day,” somehow this next week we find ourselves worshiping the last Wednesday night service of this Lenten season. It all seems to have passed in a blur.
Next week, I will get to do a practice communion run with our two First Communion students who are thrilled and can't wait to experience this milestone!
And then it’ll be Palm Sunday which will set us up for the incomprehensible lows and exhilarating highs of the Holy Week.
Getting to Easter Sunday will make the struggle to get through this winter season all worth the while! … And on Easter morning, amid the pageantry of the day, when we declare that “He is risen!” and that the “tomb is empty,” all of this winter weather will be well in the rearview mirror!
If you feel as I do that this winter has been a tough one, I encourage you to hold on to the faith! … Our Lenten journey reminds us that while Good Friday is the low point in our Christian story, no matter what, that tomb will be empty on Sunday morning!
Blessings to you all Faith Family! … I can’t wait to see you all on Easter!
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