Hooray! Spring is finally here after the snowiest winter we’ve had here in SE SD for years. The warmer temps melted the huge piles of snow on the sides of our street and in front of our living room window, expanding our view to more than the roof of our neighbor’s home across the street. The grass is greening, buds are appearing, and the birds are singing happy songs that lift a weary heart.
Winter is my least favorite season as I’m mostly housebound since the cold affects my breathing condition. I’ll admit I became especially winter weary this year. More people around here have commented what a looong winter it has been.
Hard seasons, whether in nature or in life, can seem longer than the seasons of joy, and it may become more difficult to seek out the beauty. But even winter has its beauty. The snow drifts are sculpted so beautifully. Who else but God can do that? The pure whiteness of snow coming down reminds us to pray, “Wash us, Lord. Make us whiter than the snow.” The trees look dead and barren, giving no indication of the life beneath the soil as the roots grow deeper and stronger to give greater endurance and health to the trees once the leaves appear again. So like when life’s trials strip our hearts bare and draw us to reach deeper into the True Vine, our only never-failing Source of Strength.
“How many lessons of faith
and beauty we should lose,
if there were no winter in our year!”
~ Thomas Wentworth Higginson
“If we had no winter,
the spring would not be so pleasant:
if we did not sometimes taste of adversity,
prosperity would not be so welcome.“
~ Anne Bradstreet
We may have different preferences for our favorite season. One season may be harder to deal with than others because of various reasons, both physical and emotional. But there is one constant in every season. No matter how downhearted we may feel, God has us in His hands.
“When I feel like my world has been broken
And nothing is going my way
It’s hard to see the goodness of God and
To trust enough to say come what may
But I search His Words and try to remember
What I know I’ve heard Him say
I’m in His strong, kind, and capable hands
Hands that know me and all that I need
He has promised He’d never let go
I’m in His hands…”
Nature Retreat
Arizona in Spring
🙂 Photos Courtesy of My Brother 🙂
What is your favorite season?
What do you love about it?
What season is the hardest for you?
Physically and/or emotionally?
Will you share why?
Freed to Fly 
Love this. It syncs with a reflection I wrote recently and this past winter has been heavier on my soul than of late:
“ Not one walk but two today! Yes, relishing the present because as a friend reminded me, next week temperatures plummet. I cannot explain the lightness I feel unencumbered by layers of clothing with sunshine ☀️ blazing down.
Lightness and freedom and joy.
Does this not mirror our spiritual lives?
As we let go of grudges by forgiving,
as we resolve conflict with communication, as we peel away those masks we put on to maintain an image,
as we surrender to Him…
His Spirit blazes in us, and our soul and spirit feel a lightness and joy and freedom. Gone is the heaviness of our winters!
So keep on releasing to Him. It’s the road to true freedom.
🙏☀️🕊️”
Thank you again for deeply resonating with my heart.
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Oh, I love your reflection, Sita! I so identify with it. Thank you so much for sharing it here! Yes, may we “keep on releasing to Him!”
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And your brother’s photos are so amazing!
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Thank you, Sita. 🙂 I’m grateful he shares them with me and allows me to share them with others. 🙂
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Winter is a difficult season for so many of us, Trudy, but for those who cling to God’s promises, we can always navigate the most difficult of times. I’m so happy to hear that spring has finally arrived at your doorstep, my friend, and that your brother’s photos give such a witness to the glory that is spring. Loved the prairie dogs! How does he manage to capture such amazing moments?
Spring is my favorite season here in Georgia, and I’m so grateful that my family got to visit with us over spring break. Talk about lifting my spirits!
Blessings to you and yours!
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Yes, I find myself needing to “cling to God’s promises” more than ever, Martha. We could never manage without His faithful love and amazing grace, could we? It was a blessing to see your spring photos while we waited here for our spring. 🙂 I’m amazed, too, at my brother’s photos. He truly has a gift. I’m so happy your family could come to visit. Your granddaughters are really growing. 🙂 Blessings to you and yours as well! May God lead us in His truth and teach us!
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What a beautiful, encouraging post, Trudy! I always look so forward to your brother’s photos. I love all the seasons but fall and winter are my favorites. Fall just has such a special place in my heart, for many reasons, and I love the calm stillness of winter. I also love springtime when everything is waking up and coming to life. To be honest, I am just so thankful when God allows me to be alive to see a new season ushered in, regardless of which one it is. I am so grateful for every breath of life and moment that He allows me to be here with my dear family. May He bless you today, my friend!
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Thank you, Cheryl. My brothers photos always refresh my heart, too. Thank you for sharing how thankful you are for each new season God ushers in. The faithful changes in the season truly display His unending faithfulness. May He bless you today, too, and may God’s faithful care encourage us each day!
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Dear Trudy, I’m so glad that spring has finally begun for you! That deep snow must have been so hard to endure, even tho it can be so beautiful at times. This touched my heart so much: “So like when life’s trials strip our hearts bare and draw us to reach deeper into the True Vine, our only never-failing Source of Strength.” Winter is also hard for me, but what a gift when He shows us the growth He’s been working under the surface. And how beautiful to listen to another song here about ” hands.” Thank you dear friend for bringing God’s encouragement to me today. Love and hugs and blessings for you!
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“So like when life’s trials strip our hearts bare and draw us to reach deeper into the True Vine, our only never-failing Source of Strength.” I knew in my heart you would understand this in a deep way, Bettie. It comforts me, too, to know God is always working to grow us spiritually even when we can’t see His Hand. I’m so grateful God encouraged you today with this. Love, hugs, and blessings to you, too! May we rest in “His Hands!”
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Those prairie dogs are cute! But they can be a nuisance. 🙂 Cute and nuisance seem to go hand in hand a lot! lol I find myself not tolerating the darkness of winter more and more, as I grow older. Seeking out beauty every day is important to our mental health, isn’t it? And God’s word is beauty itself. Thank you for your encouragement and sharing the beautiful pictures.
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I can see where the darkness of winter gets less tolerable, Lynn. Do you still have a long commute to work? Yes, these last years I find it more and more important to seek out the beauty everyday. And as you write, God’s word is beauty itself! 🙂 I’m glad you were encouraged here. May we continually open our hearts to beauty both in God’s Word and in His creation!
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Trudy, “winter weary.” Yes. We’ve not had as much snow as you all have. But we’ve had a lot of cold for a lot longer than normal. I feel like I’ve lived a number of seasons in only six-eight months. Lots of hard winter-like days with struggling kiddos. And then, when the storms pass, the sunshine peeks out again, reminding me God is always with me. I love those beautiful photos. And those prairie dogs!! SO adorable! Sending you love and blessings, my friend.
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It has been an unusual winter for many, hasn’t it? I hope you now have spring to stay. 🙂 Thank you for sharing. We’re having a cold weekend with some snowfall again! Love and blessings to you, too, Jeanne! May the Sonshine warm our hearts and give us hope!
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I’m glad your snow is melting away, Trudy. Winter is my least favorite season too. Summer used to be my favorite (and it still has a special place in my heart!), but I’ve grown to favor spring as maybe my favorite these days. I need to see the renewal of life again and the popping up of flowers.
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That renewal of life encourages our weary hearts, doesn’t it? I hope you have a spring that springs hope up within your heart, Lisa. May we cling to our Life-giving Savior and spread His love in this troubling world!
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I’m sorry this has been a weary winter for you, Trudy. I can’t believe the amount of snow you’ve had, especially compared with how little we had. I’m glad that the refreshing winds of spring are blowing through your heart and soul. I don’t really have a favorite season, just a least favorite (summer, because of the heat). I am thankful that, as you point out, God’s care is constant through every season. Love and hugs, friend.
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I imagine it’s pretty hard to run during the summer season, Lois. And I’m thinking it gets more humid your way, too. I’m always amazed how you can run when it’s cold. 🙂 Yes, I’m thankful, too, that God’s care is constant through every season, in nature and in life. 🙂 Love and hugs to you, too! May we cling to our Faithful God who loves us so unconditionally through every season!
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These glorious springtime colors wake us up from winter’s doldrums and breathe new life and hope as they gather ’round us. I’m so grateful!
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Me, too, Linda. 🙂 God is so faithful! May we breathe deeply of the new life and hope He brings!
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