February is a weird month for me. It’s the shortest by a few days, but it comes at a point where we’ve been doing winter for three months or more. Our church stopped doing Winter VBS a few years ago. That used to help give us a boost to get through the last month of heavy winter. We don’t take off a week of school like public schools do. It just doesn’t make sense to us to do that. What would we do with ourselves? Visit area attractions that are teeming with other people who have the week off? Nah. We just push through.

The last few Februarys have offered some Hard Things to navigate. Too many dates pop up in my mind with sad recollections. Highs and lows too close together.  I’ve had some of my worst sicknesses in Februarys.  After months of GRAY these thoughts can threaten to spill over and engulf a fighting-not-to-hibernate-mind…

I’m trying to redeem February. I worked hard this month to notice the longer days and the sunlight warming the kitchen all the way through our dinner prep.  From where I sit in the dining room I watch the sun set behind the trees in field behind us.  I savor that beauty.  I count the cardinals and bunnies.  I thank God for the rich deposits of snow that will fill our water reserves for the year to come.  I praise Him for the solid walls that surround us, the municipal electric, the hot water heaters, and a closet full of clothes.  I thank Him that I don’t have to bundle up the kids day after day, and for making it possible for us to sit together on sun-drenched sofas and snuggle close as we read, “Understood Betsy,” “Emily’s Runaway Imagination,” “Rabbit Hill,” and “The Year of Miss Agnes.” 

And last year God gave us something special to be excited about in Februarys.  Our Ducky turns one in a few days.  I’ve enjoyed planning a party for her.  Actually, I just enjoy her and I am looking forward to celebrating the gift God gave us in giving her life with some of the many people who prayed her into our world.  It was a H.A.R.D. pregnancy and a vicious delivery.  Replaying the delivery over in my mind for months after her arrival kept me awake at night and took me to my knees over and over again.  And now, a year later, I still shake my head in awe of the One who knit her together. 

I’m grateful God gave us our Ducky.  I think He was so kind to send her to us in February.