It doesn't have to be a drag!
Back home up north, January through March were some of the hardest months to get through for me. Not only was it freezing outside but my schedule usually went from 100-0 as of January 2, year after year. Honestly, I think we all feel some type of way this time of year. My family and I used to refer to it as the Winter Doldrums.
You may be feeling similarly right now. After all the planning and parties are over, the wrapping and ribbons are gone, some of us start to feel lost and empty. With the warm and cozy of Christmas behind us, a quiet cold tries to settle in our homes and hearts and seasonal depression begins to creep in...but it doesn't have to be that way!
Up north, a lot of life is on hold this time of year due to the cold, and the wind and snow. Down here in Florida, it's the best time of the year! The bugs are gone and you can actually go outside in a hoodie and enjoy a warm fire with family, friends and neighbors. We can ride the motorcycle in January, we can swim in February, we can go for walks without freezing or being eaten alive by bugs. There's a lot of awesome for me now this time of year, and although I do miss the hustle and bustle, lights on the trees and warm Christmas wishes of last month, and of course I miss my friends and family back home, I can say with certainty the winter doldrums don't really come around anymore. Maybe they were more of a state of mind than I thought!
I saw a post this morning of someone I know from back home who uses this time to reassess and reorganize their home and business. Another who is writing out the whole year's worth of scriptures to meditate on and memorize each week in her planner. One of them was Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." These words, so familiar from that Sunday school song, just hit different today. No matter where we are, or what the weather is like, even though the holiday break is over and we don't have anything official to celebrate right now, there's always a reason to rejoice and be glad.
We woke up this morning, healthy in a warm bed.
God is seated firmly on the throne. He is not anxiously pacing or nervous about anything.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), lived perfectly and became sin on our behalf that we may receive eternal life in Heaven and fulfillment and purpose, healing and peace during our time on earth.
We have friends and family who love us and support us all over the world.
The sun is shining, and even if it's not where you are right now...it will be. Clouds don't last forever.
So maybe today, Brett will make a fire and we'll make s'mores with the kids. Maybe you'll get to cozy up with your new planner by your fireplace up north and map out some scripture to encourage you as you work towards your goals this year. Maybe, this year we'll see these next few months as a time of refreshing and quiet reflection no matter where we are, because even if its raining or snowing and everyone's stuck inside, this is the day the LORD has made and we have so much to be glad about.
If you have a moment, please share a favorite verse, or quote or a story that makes you smile in the comments below. Did you gift or get something awesome for Christmas that you wanna tell us about? What's your 'word of the year' for 2024? I really want to connect with more of you this year somehow. Why not start here, now?!
Blessings y'all for a very happy, healthy and memory-making new year! 🖤