The Four Seasons

 

"Just think, Dad," my son, Vincent, told me.  "If Vivaldi had lived in Florida, we wouldn't have had the Four Seasons Concertos!"

"I guess that's true," I said.  "Do you think he would have written two concerti instead, "The Hot and Humid Concerto" followed by the "A Little Cooler Concerto?"

"Probably so," Vincent said as he stuffed some pancake in his mouth.  "It is really fortunate for posterity that he was aware of all four seasons."

I know that people differ on whether they like the Four Seasons by Vivaldi, or whether they believe it is a piece that has been played a bit too much.  It certainly isn't my favorite piece of Baroque music, but I can listen to it on occasion and enjoy it.

I have spoke to enough people who don't enjoy aspect of certain parts of the seasons -- particularly winter.  "Winter, Ugh!"  One lady told me with a look on her face like she had just discovered a mouse in her refrigerator.  "  I hate snow!  And don't get me started on ice!"

I didn't argue with her.  I happen to like snow (not so much ice), but these sorts of conversations don't typically have obvious consensus points.  

I love snow days.  It is a chance to stop for a second, to breathe, and see how beautiful the world looks when smothered in a blanket of white.

More than that, it is a blessing to experience different things.  Having four seasons, both times of cold and darkness as well as heat and light, gives us more experiences to draw from as we minister to the needs of others.

God can use all of these things to mold us into the characters that He desires -- even if we don't enjoy all of the chilly and snowy days along the way.