When the World Remembers to Breathe

My favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail. It’s a lovely story about two intelligent people who, through joy and turmoil alike, finally end up in a park with a dog dancing around them, celebrating their coming-together. It’s fantastic and I recommend it. (Probably though, you should know that the story also involves a nut shop (where it’s fun) in the case of any allergies.)  The film begins in the Fall with Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) writing a letter to Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) expressing his love for the season and it’s school supplies. I’ve always understood Joe on that one. I love buying school supplies. I love the idea of a whole new thing starting and my getting to choose what pen I will arm myself with to behold it.

It also smells good. It’s Autumn right now, so here’s what you should do: Go outside. Close your eyes. Don’t run unto anything. Take a deep, deep breath. Maybe even two, one through your nose and one through your mouth for good measure. Just breathe. This is the best breathing weather. It’s cold, but not quite cold enough for a real jacket (not to be mistaken with April 25^th.) It’s just as much cold as you need to stay awake while you do your homework. Oh, and while you’re out taking a breath, look up. Do you see that? Yes, that tree was green yesterday. Now it’s red and yellow and brown and green! Suddenly you are all mixed up in the beauty of things maybe coming to an end, or just to a rest. It’s as though the whole earth is letting out a sigh, ready for a nap.

And then the world sleeps.

Winter is not something I enjoy (my sister and Lorelei don’t appreciate this about me, alas.) To me it seems like sleep, like death, like the dreadfully dull walk from one great thing to another.  Everything becomes washed out and discouraging. All is washed over in a grey hopelessness. So, in an effort to deal, we put up lights and sparkly things and let a large man fly around at night delivering presents. Everything seems so forced to me. And have you felt the cold in Chicago? The bitter, bitter cold?  Let’s play word association. Ready?

Lake effect.

Yeah that wasn’t fun at all, was it? Nope. Winter isn’t my thing. But you know what I love? What I love almost as much as Fall?

When the world wakes up.

Spring. Oh glorious Spring. Warmth rushes in and the snow washes away, leaving behind it a clean earth that is desperate to send forth all sorts of God’s creation which has been in hiding for months.  One day it is suddenly easier to get out of bed because there are birds singing outside and the Sun is shining through. (This is also the time where April 25^th comes into play, for the record.) Things grow and form and become what they are going to be. The hope is returned and the light prevails. This is definitely something I can handle.

And then Summer, where things become full and exciting. Hot. Very hot. But still good. Summer has a sense of freedom to it that is lovely. I also get a lot of sleep in the Summer, and I’m not one to disregard that. Grilling is also a big part of Summer, and I dig that all sorts. Summer is just when everything moves and exists and links the whole cycle together. Soon, after a long period of vacation from the norm and all youthfulness has been extracted, things will become tired and long for what once was. Then the Earth will start holding it’s breath, waiting to fall asleep and wake up in the Spring.

Each month, each weather pattern, reminds me of God, He who is the Father and the Maker. I’m reminded of His plan, of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, justice, and offering of redemption. He knit even the seasons together for His purpose.

Remember that breathe thing I told you about? You should do that. But don’t just clear your head. No. Clear your heart and seek the Creator.