Winter rest

“We need a winter in our lives
a time of rest, a time to stand still
a time to reacquaint ourselves
with the faith in which we live.

It is only then that we can draw strength
from the one in whom we are rooted
take time to grow and rise through the darkness
into the warm glow of your springtime
to blossom and flourish
bring colour and vitality into this world
your garden.”  (John Birch, Methodist preacher and poet)

What are the ways you take time to rest and reacquaint yourself with your deepest values, to renew your relationship with God’s Spirit, to let the light of the Gospel illumine your life?

In my own life, resting is not only pausing from activity to focus inwardly, but it also includes activities that I find restful and restorative, such as photography and gardening. While winter doesn’t provide me with many gardening opportunities, other than catalog reading, I do find that heading out with my camera on a winter’s day puts me in a reflective state, as I look forward to seeing a familiar world with fresh eyes.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)