The other day I stood on the frozen beach nearby and thought oh my goodness, spring is never coming. But Shelley’s words, “O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” remind me that yeah, it’s coming. 25 days. I just looked it up. In the waiting, I’m trying not to drum my fingers or pace. Instead, I’m learning to linger.
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Learning to Linger
That’s a great concept, lingering. I just rediscovered Laura Vanderkam’s book Off the Clock. She writes about how time seems to go so quickly, especially as we get older. “When enough sameness stacks up, whole years disappear into memory sinkholes.” She encourages carving out time to make memories, lingering, investing in adventures, and so much more.
So I am going to linger more in these cold wintry days and create more winter memories instead of wishing away the winter.
Even with the icy roads and having to leave the house earlier than normal — and oh yes, I need to shovel the driveway. Again. Even with all this, there’s the stillness and quiet and peace. And when the sun shines? Crystals, diamonds, sparkling everywhere.
As I wait, I cherish the gifts from my sister: cozy mittens, scarf, and hat.
I sink into my writing routine without feeling drawn to sit on the front porch or take a really long beach walk.
I curl up with a book.
My sweetheart makes a fire because that’s his thing and he’s good at it.
I make another pot of chili because that’s one of the few things I can cook well.
Knit a cozy blanket.
Linger here and there.
Give thanks to God in all.
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 (ESV)
(This was one of my recent fav IG posts and I wanted to share it here.)
How do you linger? I’d love to hear.
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