What season would you say you are in?  If you say the end of winter moving into spring, you would be correct (depending on which side of the equator you live on.)   In Alabama, late February and all of March is one big hide and seek game.  Is spring here?  Is it hiding?  We don’t pay much attention to the ground hog because he is not a trustworthy source.  He plays the same convoluted hide-and-seek game.  Is it spring?  Peek-a-boo!  It’s Winter!  I might as well give my grandson his blankie and play peek-a-boo with him as trust the weather in this season.

This time of year always has a profound effect on me, throwing me into fits of anticipation and expectation that get derailed faster than popping a balloon.  The sunshine, the early blooming flowers, and the birds singing make me giddy.  I start planning my flower purchases and the layout of my pots.  I start thinking of how my porch will look adorned in all it’s new spring bling – new pillows for the porch swing, the hanging pots and wind chimes dangling like new earrings.  Everything is just so pretty in my mind that I can’t hardly stand the wait.  I might even start pressure washing and scrubbing porch railings in preparation.  Then it may snow.  Or rain for a week straight.  <Pop!>

This year has an added bonus – a brand new roof for my covered patio.  It’s gorgeous and spacious and…naked.  It’s a blank canvas just screaming for color.  Pinterest pictures of the perfect patio fill my mind and I pester my husband Tony endlessly with plans – stain the concrete, stone column wraps for the posts, a galvanized water trough for a planter nested in a bed of river rock.  Trips to our favorite local nurseries and outdoor furniture stores.  Hours poring over decorating websites.  Then comes the pricking of Tony’s words, “We may need to budget for the furniture for later in the year.” <Pop!> Or, “We can’t stain the concrete until we have at least a week of dry weather.” <Pop!> Or the ever present, “We can’t plant flowers until April 15, in case it freezes.”  Tony and the weather are the pins in my pile of inflated anticipations.  <POP! POP! POP!> 

Oh, the frustration.  My fast forward motion screeches to a halt.  Deflated anticipation usually leads to apathy for me.  It’s this attitude that says if I can’t have what I want, when I want it, then I don’t want anything.  Picture the pouting toddler and you have the idea.  I just want the end result and I want it right now.  I don’t get it, so I stop having expectations and I stop planning or preparing.  It’s a vicious cycle I have fought my entire life and it’s nasty.  Veruca Salt, move over.

I also have a loved one who is recovering from an injury.  She is making steady progress in her recovery, but it’s slow.  She’s not as far into the healing as she thought she would be, and she gets frustrated and sad.  Yet, she has been making improvements every day.  She can move a great deal more freely and with less pain than last month.  The progress that she has made can get buried under unmet expectations and delays.  She’s not one to give up and she’s thankful for the improvements, but she’s weighed down by the stress of not progressing faster.  

It’s at times like these that we need to trust God and not get frustrated at the speed of the progress or the changes we can’t see.  God’s Word says that the visible things are temporal, and the time is shorter than we realize.  It’s the progress that can’t be seen (or measured) that is lasting:

Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.

Corinthians 4:16-18 (emphasis mine)

Tony has been enjoying every single step of the patio renovation process. When the contractors were tearing down the old roof, he was loving that the ugly thing was going away.  When the old roof was gone, he was enjoying the open space and commenting on how we might even not put up a new roof.  I nixed that right away by reminding him of sweltering afternoons in August.  When the new roof was just a skeleton, he was overjoyed by the height of the new ceiling.  Now that the roof is complete, he has joined me in planning mode.  He was always on board with all my future ideas, but he was also always in the present, enjoying each moment in the process.  He was fully in the current season but planning for the next one.  There was no frustration since there was no unfulfilled expectation.  He doesn’t see the wait or the delays as frustrating, but part of the entire necessary process.  He was always thankful for each sign of progress he saw.  Many days I heard, “Thank you, Lord!  What a beautiful patio this is going to be!”

The truth is that if we try to rush things, we may end up hurting ourselves, missing something we need to learn in the process or not being fully prepared.  There’s always going to be those times when we have to wait on God’s timing.  We can’t get out and push into the next season.  Like a woman in labor, Jesus promises we won’t even remember the pain or the long wait when we are faced with the beautiful results of His return:

 A woman, when she is in labor, has pain because her time [to give birth] has come; but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of her joy that a child has come into the world.  So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy.

John 16:21-22

I especially love how this analogy to an expected birth relates to waiting for spring to arrive.  Winter is a season of hibernation, when the cold drives life underground, where we can’t see it.  We know it’s there, the life in the seeds under soil and snow, the life in the animals that hunker down.  We know the baby is growing hidden in the womb, where we can’t see it. We get the occasional kicks and movement when we see birds still flying about and squirrels scrounging for a meal.  When the time is close, we may even get some false contractions in the form of sunny, warm days and early flowers.  However, the pains come with the rain and the late freeze.  The groaning comes in the frustrated waiting.  The labor is in the gritting of the teeth while exerting patience.  The end result, though!  The beautiful, anticipated end result!  Spring comes bursting through with a wail of life.  Everything in creation is bright, new and beautiful.

For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! ¹⁹ For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay [and gain entrance] into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure.

Romans 8:18-24 (emphasis mine)

We are all waiting for a Spring and a birth of something that we can’t see yet.  We all experience pain, frustration, and impatience in the waiting.  Creation itself waits and groans together with us. Yet, we must remember Who we are waiting for and what He has promised – the end of all death and decay.  We and Creation are both waiting for our new bodies and our eternal life. 

It’s worth the wait. Be expecting.

Today was a good day.  Productive, busy, and pleasant.  Why?  Because it was guilt-free. 

Due to the ongoing work on my house, I decided to go into the office, where I don’t hear hammers and saws or see those faces through my windows.  This was beneficial for a few reasons: 1) No recliner – I actually had to get up, get dressed and GO somewhere; 2) No distractions – there’s nothing to tempt me to not get that spreadsheet done; and 3) Muscle memory – my brain and body both kicked into a higher gear because they remember what it’s like to go into the office and really need to get some things done.

My office has been on a work-from-home status for almost two years due to the pandemic; going into the office has been mostly on a need-to basis.  Once COVID restrictions are lifted, most of our employees will be hybrid workers and will only go into the office a couple of days a week.  We discovered that we are just as productive working remotely.  So, I’ve been working from home for quite a while.

At home, I can sometimes be a little TOO relaxed.  Hair up in a messy bun, comfy lounge clothes, and that dreaded recliner.  Like a lump, I’ll stay in that recliner for up to 3 hours at a time. I’ll attend meetings on Microsoft Teams from that recliner.  I’ll eat breakfast and lunch in that recliner.  I’ll take power naps in that recliner.  I have a real love/hate relationship with that recliner. 

I have a home office above my detached garage.  It has a desk, monitor, printer and lots of privacy and space.  I like to work up there; I get a lot done. However, in November and December I stayed mostly in the recliner.  Lots of excuses – I didn’t want to go outside in the (insert any weather condition here) to the garage, I didn’t want to be away from the pretty Christmas lights, I didn’t want (insert any person here) to see me in my knit joggers and messy bun.  I felt like I was cheating, somehow.  I felt guilty for staying in the recliner.  I knew I wasn’t doing my best.

On an office day, I’m up and out of the door early.  Hair done, makeup on and I’m wearing normal clothing – no joggers or pajama pants to be seen.  I feel like a professional on office days – Super Admin who can conquer the toughest problems.  The emails are flying, the items are being checked off and I’m moving.  I walk from the car to the building, from the elevator to my desk, from my desk to the restroom, down the stairs to the shipping office, up the stairs to the lobby, from the coffee pot to my desk…you get it.  I feel accomplished. I don’t feel guilty.  I feel that joy that comes from a job well done.  Today was one of those days.

While trying to figure out why I felt so much better going to work today, God reminded me of three things that generated that joy in a job well done:

I work for Him, so I put forth my best effort. Regardless if you are in a ministry or if you sling burgers at the local McDonald’s, you should always strive to do your best because you work for God

22 Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. 23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.

Colossians 3:22-24 (emphasis mine)

The peace and spoken word of Christ are in me and I did everything with a dependence on Him. I have these verses from Colossians 3 handwritten and framed on my desk at the office:

15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. 16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3: 15-17 (emphasis mine)

I was working out of faithfulness.  I love my boss and I want to do a good job for her.  I love my God and I want to do a good job for Him.  I want my boss and God to be able to trust me and give me bigger jobs.  When I’m lazy and unproductive in a recliner, there is no joy, because I only feel guilt and stress for not having done a good job.  In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents.  The servants that were faithful were rewarded:

²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:23 (Emphasis mine)

So, if you feel guilt-ridden over your work habits, take a look at your heart.  Are you working for God or are you just working for yourself?  Are you depending on Him to help you do your best? Is His word and peace the controlling factors of your heart?  Are you being faithful with what has been entrusted to you?  I guarantee you, if you adjust your heart, you will adjust your work habits.

  You will find joy in a job well done.

It’s kind of chaotic at my house this week.  We are having some work done on the outside that requires the carpenters and workmen to be all over the place.  They are in my driveway blocking my car, setting up equipment on my back patio, crawling all over the roof and the walls and the porch…you get it.  Not a complaint, but rather a fact – they are everywhere they need to be to get the job done.

I’m a hybrid worker nowadays, so I can normally escape to the office, but today required me to stay home to get some things done.  It is my first day in a fishbowl and I don’t want to open the curtains.  As an introvert, I want my privacy and my home is my haven.  My curtains will stay closed if people are all up close to my windows.

My plants, however, need that sunlight.  It’s a beautiful sunny day and I have some green babies that need to eat.  So, does my desire to feel secure outweigh my plants need for sunlight?

One of my best friends gave me a word of edification in the bathroom at church last Sunday.  The Lord told me, through her, three things:  1) Promotion is coming soon and I’ll know it when it comes; 2) He will reveal Himself to me in a way unique to just me that may not be understandable to others; 3) and I am desirable because He desires me. 

On the last one, she told me to look myself square in the eye in the mirror and tell myself that I am beautiful and desirable.  Not desirable in a sexy way, but because God Himself desires me.  That shifted something in my heart.  It made me realize that I hide a lot from the world that needs to be seen, just because I feel insecure.  I close the curtains so no one can see me at my vulnerable times, shutting out any light that could get out or in. 

Jesus says in Matthew 5:

¹⁴ “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Do you hide yourself behind curtains in a fear that others will judge you?  Do you hide the light of Jesus from others because you don’t want anyone to reject you?  That is exactly what blocks the light from getting to those who need it most.  Fear of vulnerability, fear of rejection, fear of judgement – all of those are curtains that keep the light from getting out or in.

I’d like to say I just threw all my curtains open to let all the light in for my green babies, but I only opened the curtains on the ends of the room where there weren’t any workers.  The porch curtains stayed closed until I could retreat to my office above the garage (once my hair dried and I could be seen by other humans).  It was enough.

You are enough. He is enough.  Open the curtains and let the light shine.

I have this set of wind chimes hanging on my front porch.  They were a special splurge a couple of summers ago when my old chimes were relocated to the back patio.  These new chimes have the most beautiful, deep, rich tones and I couldn’t resist them, regardless of the kind of steep price.  I hear them all the time since they are in a prime location to catch every little breeze.  They swing freely and sing sweetly. 

Yesterday, we got a blast of ice and snow that froze on top of everything.  I noticed that the chimes sounded off, so I put on my slippers and went out into the cold to check them.  Sure enough, there was ice and snow on them that was causing them to sort of clang in an off note.  They were almost irritating in their noise, not at all the sweet music that I was used to. 

This spoke to my spirit and the verse about a “clanging cymbal” came to mind:

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].

I can speak eloquently and have the best message for others, but if my heart is frozen up and there’s no love in the message, then my words are just a clanging, noisy irritation to others.  If I don’t write with a heart of love, then I’m just wasting others’ time with useless words.  I want to speak and write to others with God’s love for me ringing through and spilling over.  That song and message will be received with pleasure and understanding, not annoyance and disregard.

If it seems your message is being ignored or comes across in the wrong way, check your heart.  You might need to thaw some places out so the message comes across in the true notes of love.