Each spring I carefully examine the golden sea oats as I climb the dune crossover. Yes! The new green shoots are visible, clearly spearheading their claim on summer. I felt revived, grateful that a promise has been kept. We don’t have the winter that northern climates must endure, but we have our own time of stilled life and increased darkness. Winter is a season of tide fluctuations and unpredictable killing frosts. Darkness persists into early morning hours, and showers are taking in a chilly room. Winter here is a season for contemplation and thought, self-examination and analysis. Winter is also a time when I try to reorder my priorities and establish a new order of importance. I thank you, Lord, for the quiet season of winter; may the strength this season has given me clearly show in my renewed efforts to serve you. Amen.