Faithful Friday: Hope Springs

Some seasons are harder than others, in life and on the calendar.

This winter was beyond a difficult season for us.  So many storms.  A hard, cold, bitter winter inside our house and out the window.  Seemed like as soon as we plowed through a heavy snow, and felt a clearing, another frost would arrive.  As I type, we are still in a season of struggle but I look ahead with hope. 

That is what spring brings...

Song of Solomon 

With each chirp of a robin, buds on our trees, and plants bursting forth among the decay from winter, we have promise of better days.  It is a season to sing of the hope that comes with spring!

For every day of sunshine, we know cloudy days will again come;  

but for flowers to grow, rain must fall.

This is the hope I cling to in difficult times.  Because who doesn't have trials, mountains, and valleys in this life?  If every day were glorious though, what would we long for?  

A season of winter just makes me appreciate spring even more.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. -Proverb

In the bleak days of a trying season, I cling tighter to God.  I remember our most difficult times and see how He pulled us through.  So I know this too shall pass.  And good will come.  This I believe.

Just as with snowy days, I know sun will return.  While we've been cooped up indoors all winter, spring invites us to come outside.  To try again.  To return to happier days.  

My sleepy window boxes are beckoning me, fingers longing to claw in dirt.  Sun on the deck highlights the dust that needs to be swept away.  A fresh start.  Days on the water are calling to us, as we begin to prepare the boat. Much peace comes from a simple day out with a fishing pole.  

We weather the storms because we know what is on the way.  We can look past the pain and see the joy on the horizon.  That hope, the promise of our tomorrows, is what holds us in the difficult seasons.  

If your winter was a rough one, my prayer is that you can be comforted by this too.  Hold tight to the promises only God can offer.  No matter what this world may send your way, His light will overcome the darkness.

“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” 

― Marty Rubin

Praying spring finds its way to you, friends...

Faithful Friday: Season of Singing

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
Song of Songs 2:11-12

Spring has sprung!  I've been transfixed this week at how quickly the earth is awakening.  It seemed like overnight my pear trees changed from blossoms to bright green leaves.  The scent of wild onions and freshly cut grass envelop our neighborhood.  Everywhere I look, color is bursting forth.    It is truly a "season of singing!"

Of course, one of my favorites about spring is that the first butterflies of the season are happily fluttering by.  Butterflies have been very special and symbolic to me, since losing our son Austin.  Actually it is a symbol of Austin for many of my family and friends now.

My little yellow butterfly sends us these tiny messages, to let us know he's near. Those butterflies seem to float around at just the needed moments, whether it is a quick hello or a goose bump moment with perfect timing.  Spring brings us the promise that Austin is in a better place, yet always close by.

The spring season floods our memories of Austin, complete with days at the ball field and mowing.  It was his favorite time of year and so there are many moments we find ourselves longing to have him a part of the season's activities. 

Spring can be hard to face in child loss.  The sunshiny days don't always match our grieving hearts.  But I believe in the promise of Spring and that it is a symbol of our life anew in Heaven.  ...Where skies are always blue, birds are always singing, every beautiful display of God's work is filled with new life and color; it is where we are reborn.  And until we're connected there again, my happy little butterfly is but a glimpse of what awaits.