by Edward Charlton
T.S. Eliot wrote in his poem “The Waste Land” that “April is the cruelest month”, however in my experience January and February can be tough themselves. These months fall after the rush and excitement of Christmas, and now people are having to deal with the aftereffects of this busy time. The joyousness and excitement dies away. The colourful lights that shone on many houses have faded into memory. While the days are technically getting longer, we are dealing with some of the coldest weather of the year. The gatherings that brought people together have quieted to loneliness and business again. We are faced with the spending that happened in December with resulting bills in January. Those holding on for one more special day with family have fallen asleep for the last time. The times of togetherness remind many of their separateness, their loneliness. These can be very difficult times for many people for many different reasons.
However, these can also be times of rest, of renewal, even of new beginnings. Growing up on a farm, it wasn’t as busy as the summer, it was a time of regular routine and fixing things. It was a time when we took extra time to find the connections with others that we needed or find a connection with nature and all of God’s creation. It is also a time when we can get closer to God. My faith background is Christian, and I value time to spend in prayer and reading the Bible. These quiet times help with this. This reminds me that these low times are part of the rhythm of life. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3 we hear that there is a time for everything, or there is a season for everything. Taking time to nurture our souls helps us to deepen our faith that can help us through the different down times of life. We hear the promises of God and realize that we are not alone, that people have been experiencing similar situations and both today and thousands of years ago. It also helps us to listen.
Too often in our busyness we forget to listen and be aware of what is going on around us or what pops into our heads and hearts. I don’t know about You, but I have had times when a name would pop into my head, and I have given them a call just to say hi. The conversation was a blessing and a help for both of us. I have also felt led to go someplace at a certain time and I meet someone, and we strike up a conversation. These connections can be lights of hope for people because they break the loneliness. Our time in prayer, whether it is at home, at church, or walking in nature or around town reminds us that we are never truly alone, God is there with us. It also reminds us that God has seen our struggles and has come in Jesus. We are not forgotten or overlooked, but dearly loved by God.