Although it happened over ten years ago, I remember clearly the first time my son, Sean, saw a rainbow. He was four years old at the time. We were driving south from Iowa to Missouri when we passed through a rainstorm into the sunshine. Looking out of the car windows, my husband and I spotted that arc of color that science tells us is the full spectrum of the sun’s white light refracted through the raindrops. We eagerly pointed the rainbow out to our son, who began to search the sky. After about a minute of Sean saying, “I can’t see it,” and my husband and I replying, “Just look out the window,” it occurred to us that he didn’t know what he was looking for.

The smell of supper emanating from my crock pot.
The sound of the furnace kicking on.
The sun on my face as I look out the window.
Chocolate melting on my tongue.
Watching a squirrel gather straw from my yard to build a nest.

Before I dive in, let me share a quick story I heard recently that I'll come back to later. Here's the gist of the story: An elderly member of a Native American tribe was talking with a young man. He told the young man there are two wolves of equal power within us. One is good natured, loving and nurturing of others, and compassionate. The other is evil, filled with anger and jealousy and selfishness. The two wolves struggle within us every day.

The young man asked, "If they are of equal power, which one wins?"

"Whichever one you feed."

It was while reading a Biblical commentary on Isaiah 40:21-31 that the title of this reflection came into my mind. “Logic does not work on a two-year old.” When my children were toddlers, I often tested this saying. My son or daughter would begin to throw a fit and I would patiently (well, maybe not always patiently…) explain the reasons behind the decision I had made. Those of you who have tried this exercise will recognize its futility.

On a small table next to the window in my dining room, there sits a dead plant. It hasn’t always been a dead plant. For several weeks now it has been a dying plant. Sometime in the last few weeks, the exact moment unnoticed by me, it crossed the line between dying and dead. Now it sits there, sadly shriveled up, its leaves brown and lifeless.

What a week! As I sat down to write this email, I had difficulty choosing a topic from an abundance of subjects worthy of reflection.

When I was in third grade, my best friend, Vicki, was African-American. Young, naïve and color-blind, I didn’t understand why her mother felt it necessary after a play date invitation was extended, to call my mother and make sure that my parents were aware of the color of their family’s skin. I was reminded of this experience while looking ahead to next week.

 Words for reflection as you head into the weekend.

If you step out of your house at this time of year, it is tempting to believe that Christmas is over. Christmas decorations are being stowed away and Valentine’s Day merchandise is appearing in stores. I am reluctant to let go of Christmas so easily, preferring to observe the liturgical calendar, according to which we are still in the Christmas season until the celebration of Epiphany on Tuesday. This weekend I encourage you to continue feeling the spirit of Christmas and look forward to Epiphany.

Most "Daily Voice" readers live in North America, in the time of year when the sun seems distant and days become shorter. The promised coming of the child we sing about in songs like, "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" mirrors the promise that shortly after December 21st, the days will again seem to lengthen. It’s easy for us to think of Christ’s coming as synonymous with the return of the sun.

If you happen to be in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 21, you might stop by First United Methodist Church, sit in quiet contemplation and mark the Winter Solstice. First Church is an appropriate location because, as the northernmost United Methodist church on earth, the parishioners will see only 3 hours, 42 minutes of daylight that day. ...