Mark Bishop
Singing News Article
March 2008
It is still very cold here in
east-central Kentucky. Most of you will be reading this in late
February and into March so you may still be in the middle of cold
weather too. Unless of course, you happen to be some of our good
friends from Florida or some other southern climate. We see you
smiling. Don't rub it in.
Actually, I do not begrudge you your warmer climate. I have always
enjoyed warm weather too. Who doesn't? Sunny skies... warm
temperatures... sandy beaches... it all sounds wonderful. But I
have to share with you, something you may not believe.
I enjoy the cold weather too!
I can hear you now. You're saying, "Sure... we believe you Mark".
But under your breath your whispering something about me being
dropped on my head as a baby. Well, I can tell you now, my being
dropped on my head as a baby probably had nothing to do with it
and besides, mom said I was completely covered in butter when the
earthquake began, so what would you expect. (Although that might
have something to do with the funny twitch I get whenever I smell
buttered popcorn, but I digress...)
No, for some reason, I have always enjoyed crisp fall days when
the trees lose their leaves. Also, I have always enjoyed walking
outside on a snowy, cold day. A snowy, cold night is even better.
In my office, there is a large picture of George Washington
kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge. There is snow all around him
and the steam that comes from the nostrils of his horse indicates
the air is cold. It is an inspirational scene to me.
Carolyn and I enjoy walking around the neighborhood in the
mid-morning, after the kids are in school. At that time, most
folks are either at work, at school or engaged in their chores. It
is usually a good time for us to get some exercise. To talk or not
to talk. To enjoy the fresh air. I am never as alive as when I am
walking through the fall leaves on a crisp day.
All of this is not to say that I would enjoy living in a perpetual
winter. I do enjoy the few short months of winter that we enjoy
here in Kentucky, but maybe that's because the promise of spring
is just around the corner. The weather in Kentucky is a lot like
that sampler platter at Red Lobster. You get a little bit of
everything. I wouldn't want to live in winter conditions all year,
but neither do I wish for perpetual spring, summer or fall. I like
for the scenery to change outside my windows. I want to glimpse
all of God's paintings.
Sometimes, winter forces you to slow down. It disrupts your
schedule and changes your plans. Winter gives you the chance to
read that book you've been meaning to pick up. Winter puts you in
the quiet, where you can hear your own thoughts. (And maybe write
a song!)
One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to walk outside
when it's snowing, especially, the big, thick flakes. You think
that maybe you have heard complete silence? Hmph! Libraries are
somewhat quiet places. Before Tiger Woods putts... that's pretty
quiet too. But for the ultimate, supreme silence, the kind of
silence that makes you perceive the ringing in your own ears kind
of silence, find a place in the country and stand in a thick
falling snow. Let it fall all around you. Look up into the clouds
and watch it fall down. Feel it on your face. Take it all in.
Enjoy Gods wonderful creation with no distraction.
If it worked for George Washington, it can work for you.
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