All I can do right now is wish for summer.
The winter in Nashville has been terribly mild and we have barely had a serious cold snap. Usually, I’m the one who loves a good wintery season, all bundled up and such, but this year, winter can’t end fast enough.
And I don’t even like spring.
I just want summer. I want long days and warm nights outside. I want to wear shorts in the afternoon and feel the sunshine come in through my window at too-early o’clock. I want fresh fruits and farmers markets and rolled down windows. I want a solid thunderstorm. I want last minute tubing trips and long awaited beach vacations.
But the truth is, I know as soon as summer gets here, I’ll beg for fall. For the changing leaves and the cooler temperatures and the tall boots and skinny jeans. I will want all the things that the current season doesn’t offer.
One day this summer, I will be sweaty and annoyed and everything will feel sticky and I’ll think back to today. I will remember that it was 30 degrees and I jogged from house to car, when my fingers were frozen while opening my back door to rush into the warmth of the house, and I’ll feel like I wasted winter, wishing for summer. And I’ll will wish away summer instead of living it like I am anticipating.
It seems that no matter the time of year, the relationship status, or the prayers unanswered, I always find myself wishing for the next season instead of appreciating the one I am in.
So while my mind longs for summer, I’m teaching my heart to live the winter. And maybe even love it.
. . . . .
By Annie Downs
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“So while my mind longs for___________, I’m teaching my heart to live ____________. And maybe even love it.”
what a perfect statement to fill in the blank for any season we’re in. for any heart’s desire we have. love it. thank you. –kris
I love your sentiment . I am thinking of gardening already! Have a great day.
I’m guilty of this as well. I need a daily reminder to simply do the next thing–this day, this season, this calling.
Yes, I too am trying to savor the gifts that God has surrounded me with here and now.
We learn to anticipate and count down so early in life. Today, this is such a gift and through much heartache, I’ve learned to live it and love it!
Great post, and it is so true. Learning to be content wherever and whatever season we are in is never easy, but we can all learn. And learning is a progress that can’t be rushed.
I’ve never been a great fan of the winter season….but sometimes that is just what we need. A time of rest and the dying off of things not really beneficial for us. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Let’s savor today’s gift from God!
You are not alone! I found myself say the exact same thing just yesterday here in South Carolina. However, I was truly thankful that we were not buried in several inches of snow like some of our sisters in the mid-west! 🙂
Annie, I so relate to this. I’ve spent 30 years living in the future instead of enjoying the todays, and this is something God is working on my heart about this Lent. I love the last line. It’s so true. It’s ok to long for ______ so long as we remember to also enjoy today.
Such a beautiful, simple, poignant message! Thank you for reminding me to embrace whatever season I am in – and I have indeed been struggling with this all my life. To be content where I am. i hope Heaven has seasons.
Beautiful reminder, thank you!
Ah, yes. I’m the same way.
I’ll even throw in, “if it HAS to be THIS COLD, there may as well be snow on the ground!” (my excuse for not getting out).
Thanks for sharing!!
Kind of like an Eccleseastical thought. To everything there is a season
My husband and I had a discussion on this –this week. Yes he prays for my healing, and shows photos of me well, and says Soon. Someday when this…
But what if I’m as good as it gets? Will we have wasted the blade of spring green grass at my feet striving for the mountain snow off in the distance I asked him. Will we miss out on this beauty of today somewhere there must be some beauty waiting for a tomorrow’s beauty that may not be?
Doesn’t Jesus say He has come to give us life and give it more abundantly? Even in days that healing won’t come. There’s a new kind of beauty. Oh please don’t rush your day. In a moment I went from summer carefree to sort of fall to winter needs. Do not waste your days. do not be so busy working you’ve never worshipped nor been joy filled nor found beauty in nature. Or maybe that’s my gift from God–seeing a raptor in our neighborhood. Seeing the yellow blossoms of this tree in my yard, all from the inside looking out. Thank you for your beautiful reminder to be content in my strange season and be glad in it too
There is a verse in the bible that I constantly remind myself of when I’m feeling that restless yearning for a change of seasons, of circumstances, of…whatever. “In whatever state your find yourself, therein be content.” (Loose paraphrase) My “word” for this year is BREATHE. I find myself getting all up tight, or anxious, or just plain discontented and I stop myself, draw in a deep breath and slowly blow it out…telling myself God is in control and this too shall pass.
Everyday I get up and repeat the Psalms, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” This eases my anxiety for the future and helps me focus on what today is all about. God has been good to give me this day and tomorrow is His as well. We all have a tendency to look beyond to another day or season but all we have is today. Great thoughts that show me we need to enjoy each day, rejoicing in all that it holds.
I enjoy each season, but as the days drag on I begin wishing for the next. I am a Spring and Summer girl, but by the time the end of August rolls around I find myself craving the cooler temperatures of Fall. Just like right now I am craving the warmer temperatures of Spring even though I love snow. Can one ever be totally satisfied?
I tend to rush ahead of myself with everything. I’m learning to take it easy.
Annie-
I so understand what you are going through here… living in Colorado, we have wild swings of weather and temp. through May. It is so hard to plan everything because you never know when a blizzard will come! I always long for summer when things settle into a predictable pattern. But I know GOD wants me to embrace every day HE gives me and so this winter I am trying to do it different… living in the moment no matter what time of year! Thanks so much for your post!!
I try so hard to live in the moment, but I tend to always think tomorrow will be better. When I was working, I would rush through my work week, wishing for the weekend, and it would go by so quick! My husband would tell my I am wishing my life away. Now I live with chronic pain, and my husband has kidney disease, we don’t get out much, the kids are grown and gone. Enjoy life to the fullest!
Beautifully put! We are having a particularly cold and snowy winter here in PA, and it seems every week brings a fresh round of sickness to my three littles (last week it was the stomach bug, today all three are home with strep).
It’s really easy to pine for summer and not appreciate the fallow time of winter as essential to preparing our hearts for the growth of spring and summer.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Live fully. Live NOW.
We miss so much in the present when we’re constantly shading our eyes to see into the distant future. Thank you, Annie, for this wise reminder–wise because there are so many physical, emotional, as well as spiritual benefits to appreciation. Even secular research has proven the case.
So, today, I appreciate the fact that it’s so warm here, the air conditioning is running. (Hallelujah for AC!) I am grateful for the sun and shadows playing among the trees outside my window. And thank You, God, for change–it keeps us on our toes, and adds the joy of variety to our lives.
I totally relate to you on that. I live in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada and we have 4 seaons here. I am always living in anticipation of the next season. Life is like that too. God gives us different season’s on our lives some good and some with suffering and trials. No matter what season I’m in I’m always looking for the next thing. Not necessarily suffering but worrying about that season coming. I like what you said it really encouraged me. I’m going to live in this season of winter right now and enjoy it and the season of recovery from surgery and enjoy the quiet times with the Lord instead of wanting to be going and doing again. Thanks for writing and sharing!! Emme
I do the exact same thing every season. I live in Georgia and it has been very mild here–I think the jonquils bloomed in January. Never heard the phrase “Too-early o’clock,” but I love it! That’s when my little dogs start telling me it’s time to get up. Great post–thanks!
I can soo relate to this. It seems no matter what season I’m in I just can’t be content and enjoy the ride. I’m trying to teach myself to count my blessings and enjoy the small daily gifts God gives us.
To everything there is a good and bad side. We must choose to see the good & ignore the bad–God has His reasons for each season he puts us through!
This is SO me! The only season I don’t wish for is Winter. I’m glad I’m not the only one who wishes the seasons away, and I hope we both can slow down and enjoy the season we’re in. 🙂
Ugh, it’s been such a tough winter here in northern Alberta for me. Half of the year is winter here with an average of -20 C (that’s -4 F for you folks) from October to March-April there’s snow. All you see for half of the year is white, brown and grey.
Add to that the fact that I’m still new here (moved here a year ago) and still don’t feel like I really fit in yet…
I want this season (metaphorically and meteoragically) to be over.
Thank you for your wisdom. I get stuck in the “I”ll be happy when–isms” and forget to find joy today. I have a super husband, six wonderful blessings and great health. I have no reason to complain, yet I so often find a lame way to justify (only to myself) my grumbling.
Thank you.
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I am definitely feeling this way myself! We just got a big snowstorm recently with nearly a foot of snow and more is forecast for the beginning of the week. I’m also 33 weeks pregnant and tired of putting on a heavy coat that is starting to get a bit snug. We however desperately need the moisture the snow provides. So I am going to be thankful for that and enjoy looking out to the backyard that has just a few footprints from the animals.
Oh, I’m so guilty of wishing for the next season. Except for maybe when it’s summer, but after humid days in Kentucky, fall usually does sound good.
Living in the moment. As I get older, I see how much time I’ve wasted anticipating the next stage of life and missing the one I’m in.
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