Nature is amazingly resilient. The temperature had dropped to freezing, and though I had carefully covered my plants, I was sad to discover that the frost killed quite a few. Then two days later I took a walk and saw a dandelion, reminding me that change comes, sometimes even quickly, and life bursts through once again.
The third Monday in January is supposed to be one of the most depressing days of the year. The holidays may not have lived up to our expectations, and in any case, they pass too quickly. In the northern hemisphere, the weather is generally dark and inclement, and to top it off, plants are dead or hibernating and, where I live, pollen is out in full force during the winter. But then I think of all I have—the cozy blankets and hot beverages to keep me warm, how easy it is to fall asleep at night when it’s cool and dark. There seems to be extra time in the winter to read a book, work on my art, or research topics I’m interested in.
Even though things may go wrong, and there may have been deep losses, I can allow myself to keep growing. Like the dandelions, I can look out for the least bit of sunshine and reach out to help people move past the pain of winter. Did you know that on even the darkest day of winter you can take the bottom of a scallion, put it in water and place it in your kitchen window, and it will grow a whole new green onion? It teaches us that all our broken pieces can be renewed even in the darkest of times.
As long as there are flowers or frost, sunshine or clouds, dandelions or green onions growing on my windowsill, I will continue to feel God’s great love for me. As long as I am alive, I will thank Him for sunsets, for sunshine on cold winter days, and even for the storms that nourish the ground. I will be resilient like the nature I see all around me because I know it is a picture of the divine. Dandelions and green onions can teach me that there is really nothing to be depressed about. God’s love is all around me if I have the eyes to see it and enjoy it and pass it on.