THOUGHTS FROM THE STATE DIRECTOR
January and February are not my favorite months of the
year. Unlike my political persuasion, I am moderate when it
comes to weather. I love spring and fall and am somewhat in
love with summer until the scorching heat arrives. Winter is
fine until after Christmas; then I wish it would disappear like it
does when I put the snow globe away with the Christmas
decorations. The short hours of daylight, the bone-chilling walk
down the driveway to retrieve the paper, and the ice-
enshrouded driveway that is a perennial obstacle to forward
progress to the garage leave me less than enthralled.
However, I will say that I love sitting in front of a fireplace on a
cold snowy day. I do object, however, to that coziness being
thrust upon me by my husband taking my four-wheel drive car
to work because his luxury car cannot make it up the
driveway.
The �winter� times
�Winter� times are those times when all seems dark and
hopeless. Except for an occasional sunny day when the snow-
covered earth is sparkling like diamonds, everything around us
is gray and monotonous. It is a time to reflect; a time to wait,
and a time to burrow deep into a �fleecy robe� of meditation
and strategizing so that when the days get longer and brighter
our energies can be spent in fruitful ways.
Hope springs up
This week we have had a few days of warm weather ... not
enough to melt the driveway yet, but warm enough to smell a
hint of spring in the air. When I opened the door to let my dog
outside yesterday, I heard birds singing; when I looked into my
garden, I saw daffodils peeking up out of the earth, and my
heart sang right along with the birds and the flowers. I feel
energized and full of hope because of the signs and the
promise of good things to come. Just like the birds and the
flowers I know spring is on the way because God has promised
us the seasons in His covenant with Noah.
The seasons illustrate God�s faithfulness
The seasons always have reminded me of God�s faithfulness,
His unchangeable nature and His loving tenderness toward His
creation. The birds make their long flight home in spite of the
unpredictable weather of spring, not knowing if the earth has
thawed enough for them to find food; and the flowers respond
to His gentle whisper to �come forth;� in spite of winter
relapses. The steady and predictable rotation of the earth
shows us year after year that He cares for us.
Encouragement
In spite of His faithfulness I often sink into the �winter doldrums�
while engaging in the battle with the culture, but hope is an
anchor that I know is wedged in the Rock. Our God is a Rock
and a Tower of refuge in the midst of the wintry blast. When I
get into looking at my circumstances, He encourages me to
look up ... and ... to look out at a world that is held together by
His power. He encourages me to rejoice always in everything
because He makes all things work together for good for those
who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
He is coming back!
I can�t wait to plant pansies in my flower boxes; I am tingling
with anticipation to feel that warm spring breeze, to see the
faint lacy green on the trees on my weekly drive to Topeka, and
to watch the earth come to life. I am looking forward to the day
when the Lord of life comes back and when I will listen to the
trees clap for joy instead of the groaning of anticipation.
In Him,
Judy Smith
State Director
Concerned Women for America of Kansas
P. O. Box 11233
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207
Phone/Fax: 913-491-1380
Email: director@kansas.cwfa.org
Web site: kansas.cwfa.org |