Out Our Way: We needed it

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 'To everything there is a season and time to every purpose under heaven.'

Out our way, we sometimes say that winter is the price we pay for the glorious spring, summer and fall seasons we so cherish.

I recall driving in a blizzard on the Hi-Line, barely able to see and with the defroster and heater on full blast . Along the road were cars being pulled out of the barrow ditch by some tow truck, heavy four-wheel drive pickup or even a tractor. At the café, I would hear locals talk about the weather, shake their heads at the below-zero temperatures, ice and snow - and then all agree "but we needed it."

Indeed, "to everything there is a season."

I would sometimes remember that as, come the spring, I would see the lush grass in the upper pasture as we moved Big Mike's herd, see the farmers doing their plowing and planting, and enjoy the wild flowers along the Beaver Creek trail I used to ride. 

Come the summer, the smell of the sage, cattle, and the warm sun even in the higher elevations reminded me how glorious this area is. And come fall, the roundup, elk bugling, and herds of antelope racing across the harvested fields were a sight to behold. Then winter came around again and even in the midst of an "Alberta Clipper," I would nod in agreement as the old ranchers and farmers said, "We needed it." 

The author of Ecclesiastes shared this wisdom as a reminder to us as we deal with "the winter of our discontent" (Shakespeare 's "Richard III"). It is the harsh winter that enhances our awareness and appreciation of spring, summer and fall. Further, without all that snow and ice that in the spring runs off, watered the prairies and refilled the streams and reservoirs, the Tiger Ridge would be barren, as would the fields and grainfields below. 

It is hard to believe spring will come at times - especially in the midst of a dark winter - but the calendar assures us it is so.

So does the Scripture in the "winter of our discontent" It assures us that this is part of the life cycle, and though we may not see or believe it at the moment, the snow will stop and the ice will melt and refill the streams and lakes and reservoirs. Yes, the seemingly barren frigid prairie will bloom again - wild flowers, sweetgrass and sage will grow in lush pasturelands. For without winter, there is no glorious spring, summer or fall. We may well have needed this present dark winter storm to make the spring, summer and fall we so long for.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].