I grew up in Minnesota. I know winter.

This could be me when I would have to drive to my classes for college or to work. The ridiculous dress code was for me to wear skirts or dresses. So this was me in a skirt. 

Minnesota does have some of the most beautiful summers possible, especially with all of the lakes to enjoy those summer days on. I know summer in Minnesota too. But winter is what Minnesota is known for. Minnesotans get the very good and the very bad of weather. I’ve met many ignorant people who believe a Minnesota winter lasts every day throughout the year. They are ignorant but that is how famous Minnesota is for its winters.

I moved away in 1988. Yet I’m home for every Christmas. Haven’t missed one yet. When does Christmas happen? Winter. I haven’t missed a Minnesota winter yet even though I will never live in that state again.

I mention winter and summer because it reveals a big truth about God. God always works in cycles. Look at everything in his creation.

There are seasons. Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall.

Every day is a cycle. Sunrise. Morning. Afternoon. Sunset. Night.

The moon cycles in phases. New. Young. Waxing crescent. Waxing quarter. Waxing gibbous. Full. Waning gibbous. Waxing quarter. Waning crescent. Old.

Insects have a life cycle. Eggs. Larva. Pupa. Adult.

Butterflies seem to have a special insect life cycle. Egg. Caterpillar. Chrysalis. Butterfly.

Cells do this thing called mitosis (flashback to your biology classes) that goes in a cycle. Interphase. Prophase. Metaphase. Anaphase. Telophase.

Then there is the cycle of us. Birth. Childhood. Adulthood. Elder years. Death.

And it is good.

Keep on brainstorming. You will notice that everything works in cycles. This is God’s design. It flows throughout his creation. You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. Psalm 104:19.

So know this. You may feel like you are living in winter. Everything feels dead. There is no color. Just frozen, dead ground. Frozen, dead trees. Frozen, dead lakes. Frozen, dead you. Everything is so hard in winter. Just to go to the grocery store takes extra work, extra time, and extra effort. You have to bundle up yet the snow always finds a way to get in and makes you colder. Life hurts. It feels like there will be no end. Like the color will never return. And somehow you’ve got to shovel your way out and get back into life. Somehow.

So know this too. Spring does come. It always does. This is how God works.

Winter will end.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33. You will have sorrows. Winter does come. Winter comes and it is not always your fault. You are not exempt from pain. It is part of the cycle of life. But take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world. Spring does come. You get to live in spring. And summer. And fall.

I promise. Spring is coming. And you will enjoy summer again. I can promise this because this is how God’s entire creation works—and you were wonderfully created by God.

Summer memories with my family in Minnesota

(Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/joiseyshowaa/2775011897, http://abcnews.go.com/US/blizzard-explained-abc-news-meteorologist/story?id=36431068, flickr.com, pixaby.com)