Are You Longing for Light?

For many of us, the shortest month of the year seems to drag on forever. No matter where you live, days seem darker and drearier. It’s colder than normal. All the fun and hubbub of Christmas and the new year feel like a distant memory. Where I live, in the Mid-Atlantic region, February is when we typically get the most snow and ice, when traffic snarls to a halt for commuters. The snow that was beautiful back in December is now an inconvenience; it looks dirty, sometimes almost ugly.

It’s easy to fall into the doldrums this time of year or to lament the weather, the darkness, the rain, the snow. Most of us are wishing so hard for spring that we forget we ever could have found something beautiful in winter. But what if, instead of wishing the cold and darkness away, we begin to consider this month not the curse of winter but the blessing of opportunity to live a bit differently?

A couple of years ago, in February no less, Lisa Tolin wrote an article about the Danish concept of hygge.:

“Appropriate to Denmark’s climate (and our winter), hygge is about hunkering down: It’s all candles, blazing fires, warm blankets and fuzzy slippers, reading nooks (called hyggekrog), comfortable pants (hyggebukser), wollen socks (hyggesokker) and tea.”

Spending more time being cozy? Sign me up! Something in me and, I think, in most of us is longing for light—for slower, for cozier, for more intentional. Maybe even longing for less.

Unfortunately, it is far easier to focus on the darkness, the rushing, the cold, the relentless monotony of one day after another punctuated by another snowstorm, rain shower, or dreaded wintry mix.

What if this month we choose to be intentional about creating more light and goodness in our days by lighting more candles, starting more fires in the fireplace, drinking more cups of cocoa with loved ones, reading more books, praying more prayers, making more tea, wearing more fuzzy socks? Could those small decisions really make a difference?

In the Bible, we are encouraged in Psalm 46 verse 10 to “Be still and know that I am God.” We can’t control the weather or the seasons, but we can carve out a few moments to look to the one who is in control of it all. We can choose this month to spend more moments retreating with him and simply being still.

Most days, my morning is a rush of making breakfast and lunches and seeing kids off to the bus. After that, my day slows for just a few moments. I light a candle, prop my preschooler happily in front of Peppa Pig for twenty minutes, and I spend time with Jesus. It’s a rhythm that I have recently rediscovered and one in which I am finding hope and wholeness. I know that not everyone has the flexibility to start their days with these moments of light, but I believe that almost all of us could stand to find some way to steal a few more minutes of time to be present with our Creator.

And what of the cozy, the candles, and the blankets that help make hygge happen? I’m all for it. Why not view this month as a chance to spend more Saturdays in pajamas, cuddled on the couch with a blanket and a book? Why not grab a bunch of candles from the dollar store and have a candlelit dinner with your roommates, spouse, family, or even with yourself?  Can Sunday afternoon hold an hour of reading or a movie, curled up with loved ones or resting alone, before the chaos of the week begins again? Yes, we all have commitments and schedules. But sometimes scheduling rest and downtime is the healthiest choice for us.

Many of us will reach a breaking point where circumstances must change, and where rest is our heart’s greatest desire. There is a rhythm to life, and sometimes it gets out of whack—too many staccato notes, rushing minor scales, time signatures that feel out of sync. There are times where we must make big changes and be bold. And there are times when we simply need to tweak the rhythm of our days, to rediscover an extra measure of peace, a greater experience of hygge.

This month, I suggest we all consider some small ways to experience February differently. Let’s find beauty in the darkness and light more candles for the shadows to play in. Dare we slow down just a little bit? Might we put our phones down and be present with those in the room with us, in conversation across a fire, or cuddled on the family room couch? Can we find moments to spend listening to Jesus and to music that celebrates and praises him?

You may not be in a season requiring drastic life change, but some small changes and a change in perspective might do you some good. February may not be the month for resolutions, but the best time to invite more light and a slightly slower pace into your days. If you’re fortunate enough to live somewhere where you might get a snow day or two this month, try to view it as an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Light candles, make cocoa, cuddle up in a blanket after sledding, and rest. Snow or not, the slower pace is waiting for you.

Heather Henderson was a pastor in Maryland for 8 years before stepping full-time into work as a life and leadership coach, author, and speaker. She is married with three kids, a gorgeous dog, and a Betta named Pepperoni. She loves helping people find their best lives and work toward living them. Connect with Heather at HeatherMHenderson.com.

Photograph © Kira Auf Der Heide, used with permission