Contrast… finding hope in the grey days.
I can’t remember green. (Ok. So that is a bit melodramatic..) However, in February, in Michigan, (where I live) it could happen. Color is nearly absent in February.
Of course, there are enormous variations of black, grey and white, a few splashes of brown, but that’s about it. The snow is grey and dirty. It looks tired and worn out. There is a grey, salty residue (we salt our walks to melt the snow) on the hardwood floor… (As a side note- I think my family avoids stepping on the doormat, instead, they opt to wipe their feet on the hardwood. We’ll be having a little “meeting” about that. Also- I should probably, mop: ) What isn’t covered in snow, is dappled in mud. It may be a technicolor world… but Michigan, is currently, shades of black and white.
This morning, I poured an extra large, (think: cereal bowl with a handle) cup of coffee, with french vanilla, creamer. I wrapped my hands around it to warm them, took a deep breath and then poured out my heart to God about the whole, grey mess. I suppose some of my out-pouring (aka: whining) was prompted by the weather, some by my hormones, and some due to a few minor circumstances that are outside of my control. Nothing tragic.. just low key saddness, colored grey.
Out of the corner of my eye- I saw a flash of red. Not just “brownish” pretending to be red… but true vivid, monochrome- busting, RED. Brilliant, moving, living color, in my backyard. A cardinal, had perched himself in the cat-tails. COLOR. What my eyes were craving, popped into view. A gift.
I ran for my camera. I snapped pic after pic, trying to capture the beautiful contrast between black and white and brown and RED. Every picture fell short. However- etched in my mind, is that tiny bird. Eventually, I went back to my (now cold, what mom ever drinks a whole cup of hot coffee?) coffee. Inspired by the shot of red….I pulled my Bible off the end table and opened it’s (yes, brown) cover. This is what I read:
“My lover spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”
This morning, in the middle of a cold grey day, God brought color in a cardinal. This morning- in a cold grey heart……God brought hope in a verse about Spring. Had it been warm and sunny- the messages would have been lost in the caucophony of color and warmth. Instead- the contrast brought them into clear and vivid, view.
I wonder…how many times the same cardinal has been in my yard in the fall, spring or summer- only to go un-noticed? I wonder how many times I;ve read the same scripture missing it’s thread of hope?
Today- regardless of what you find outside of your window… I pray that you’ll find His hope- in it’s contrast.
- Looking for God In All the Wrong Places
- The Driveway Leading Home
Hope is a beautiful gift from God.
This is one of my favorite verses.. I use it often…I heard Brennan Manning (Abba’s Child and Raggamuffin) talk about a story using this verse….
It is so powerful…
Your story is so like God!! His little gifts… Little Red Hearts From God moments.. big smile….
Blessings
Connie
What a beautiful thought Tracey. We used to live upstate NY and I can remember around this time of year feeling exactly as you do. All of life looked so drab. How precious the Lord is – He meets our every need. We just need to have eyes to see.
Oh Praise God! I love how He speaks to us exactly what we need! His creation is there to sing his praises too! Have a blessed Sunday!
Tracey,
Always love to read your words…. This particularly…Had it been warm and sunny- the messages would have been lost…
How many times does our Lord do this for us. Sending the right thing, scripture, Cardinal at the right second. Lovely.
How beautiful! Tracey, I enjoyed reading this devotion. Thanks for the encouragement to find his Hope regardless to what is outside.
God bless
Awesome post! I spent all my high school years and college in Michigan (Port Huron and Kalamazoo) and can totally relate! What a shocking blessing to see that flash of RED!