Dreaming on a Winter Day

Every once in a while I binge and purge. That's right. I binge with house decor. For a brief period (and Chuck is glad it is brief or we'd all go mad), I go zany with creativity. I begin to look at every room in the house through new eyes. I see walls glowing with color, adorned with my own framed and matted nature photographs. I see furniture taking on new possibilities if only rearranged.

I purge closets, drawers, corners, shelves, and anything else I can uncover. Suddenly, I am frantic to toss, pitch, burn, destroy, and give away what I now consider useless or unnecessary items.

Thank God for these binging and purging times in my life, because if I did not have them, I'd never be motivated to get anything done. I'm going through one of those times right now, and I'm so glad it has happened in the dead of winter because my renewed desire to tackle some home projects is giving me increased purpose until spring arrives and I can finally garden.

You see, I am just itching to get out there in my barren flower bed and begin churning the soil and tossing in additives to enrich the dirt. We just moved last May, and this particular bed is a project that spans the length of our neighbor's fence--some 15 or so feet. Not only will I be unearthing dirt that has not previously been worked, by the looks of it, but most likely I will also be unearthing back pain, blisters, and sore muscles. But that goes with the territory.

None of that daunts my spirit, because I know with the downside comes the upside--the warm spring sun on my face, cheerful bird chirps as a backdrop, the fulfillment that wells up from within after toiling so hard and long and finally witnessing that first green shoot poke its head out of the ground. Ah, I can't wait. But, alas, I must. So in the meantime, I paint a bedroom that needs a fresh splash of lemon fizz color, purchase a brass headboard, new sheets, quilt and ruffle, and go to town decorating. What an uplift to finish a project, step back, and relish in a job well-done. Then I pull out my gardening magazines and gather ideas. Dream by the fire. Draw sketches. And wait. There is something therapeutic even in the dreaming and waiting.

I hope you have a dream today that stirs your blood. Maybe it's that unfinished quilt buried in the bottom of your closet that needs abit more stitching before you turn it over to a grandchild. Perhaps, it's an outreach to that lost neighbor who you've been wanting to invite over for coffee or tea. Whatever it is, make plans today to realize your dream! With God's help, make it happen!

God gives us dreams to help us navigate life's transitions. Listen to your heart and the Spirit's voice, and then get moving. There's work to be done. Before you know it, winter will be past and spring will be in full bloom.

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Life is an accomplishment. Each moment has a meaning and you must use it. Life is given to you like a flat piece of land and everything has to be done. I hope that when I'm finished, my piece of land will be a beautiful garden.

-Jeanne Moreau, actress and director, on becoming the first woman inducted into France's Academy of Fine Arts

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