Contrast… finding hope in the grey days.

cardinalI 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:

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

“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.
Sig Tag

7 thoughts on “Contrast… finding hope in the grey days.

  1. Connie

    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

  2. LindaLinda

    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.

  3. Kim

    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!

  4. LynnLynn

    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.

  5. BernadineBernadine

    How beautiful! Tracey, I enjoyed reading this devotion. Thanks for the encouragement to find his Hope regardless to what is outside.
    God bless

  6. Jennifer in OR

    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!