Shedding
It’s that time of year. Winter is all but behind us, and the shedding process begins. The sun renews by shedding its light—renewing all that it touches.
Out of the shed we pull that which has been hibernating all winter long. The old mattress will be set upon the curb, the table that is all but disabled now sits alongside—alongside the road for others. Others load up treasures found in order to renew their own living spaces—giving grace to that which has been received from the shedding of others.
The animals are shedding their winter coats to make room for new growth. Under the layers of dull comes shiny—growth waiting to show itself anew.
We shed winter coats and soggy mittens blemished from well-worn warmth. We shed the leaves upon the garden in order to till anew that which the Almighty can do as seeds planted will bear fruit in due season. Tis the season of shedding alright.
We shed the dirt built up from the long winter past as spring cleaning begins. The curtains upon the windows, the rugs upon the floors polished and windows shine squeaky clean.
Just as the sun’s rays shed light—so do the Son’s. He shed alright—His blood, that we might have life. He shed his clothes as they took from Him as the die was cast close up as the searing pain of love poured forth. He gave.
And when one gives, there must be a receiver of. To receive that which was shed is a gift back to the Father. Tis a gift alright to receive that which was shed for all, once and for all.
And that’s how it goes, Lord. Isn’t it? You shed your blood in order to shed Your Light that we might shed all for Thee. All that encumbers us we shed. Love shed upon us, we shed upon others.
Extra clothes—given for Thee.
Extra décor—given to others for their need.
Extra food—we share.
Extra love poured out upon us—we pour out upon others.
And the first fruits weren’t the extras. Sacrificial love wasn’t from extra. It was the very fabric of who He was—given for us. Perhaps we can rephrase.
Clothes—given for Thee.
Décor—given for Thee.
Food—given for Thee.
Love—given for Thee.
Thank you for the gift of shedding and the gift of receiving that which was shed for us. Amen.
Kathleen Kjolhaug
This article was first published in Theology in the Trenches, a column written by Kathleen Kjolhaug. Posted with permission. Read more articles on her blog, Theology in the Trenches.
