What Can Happen In A Year

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

—1 Peter 5:10

When things are dark and splintering, I get stuck, believing that it will always be so, that new life will never come, that change will never really break into my life. But this year is all the proof I need. One year ago today, a similarly snowy day, it was all different, and I want to hold this moment like a charm—remember, remember. The snow is falling on the evergreen tree in our new backyard, and our cozy little house feels warm and safe. I’m wrapped in a blanket that’s been dragged to every home we’ve lived in since we got married—new couch, new view, same old yellow blanket. A candle flickers on the table, and the steam from my tea smells like cloves. We are a million miles from last December, and I want to keep this moment with me as a reminder of what can happen in a year.

As I look out the window, the snowflakes are bigger now and falling even faster. People are wondering about canceling events for tonight and school closings for tomorrow. That would be just fine with me. I have all I need right here: this evergreen, this tea, this candle, this December.