I’m an optimist. In spring my enthusiastic sunniness beams brighter than usual. Spring is my favorite time of year.
Until it snows in April. Yep, last weekend while we had only a dusting on the grass, one county about an hour east of my house accumulated 10 inches of heavy white winter.
And just a second ago, my cell phone chirped a weather alert for below freezing temperatures tonight.
If I remember right, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, so predicting quite strongly there would be an early spring. So much for that rat being right.
In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.
Mark Twain
Spring where are you?
Yet I have hope. The rotation of the seasons shows me God’s faithfulness and his oversight – spring will come, then summer, fall, winter, spring and so on. He is the creator, has the control, and also the authority over all things.
Each day reminds me of this comforting cycle of rest and renewal – sun up, sun present, sun down. Repeat. Repeat.
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.
Hal Borland
Lessons in the changing of the seasons and revolutions of the earth.
Last fall I planted somewhat-ugly daffodil bulbs. I remember the wind blew cold that day and my fingers stiffened messing with the icy brown earth. I forgot them over winter, yet today I see their green slender leaves reaching upward to their creator, praising for life.
Spring reminds me that I am not God, not in control, and all things will bloom in his time. To be honest it is nice to pass that responsibility onto a higher, wiser, and more compassionate God.
We bought Easter lilies to decorate the church this year and now have one sitting on my dinner room table. As I walk by my nose catches its fragrant reminder of its presence. I wonder how much delightful and pleasant brushes with God, I miss each day, focusing more on my busyness and ignoring the present moments within each day and season.
My word of the year for 2016 is JOY. Seeing hints of spring, trusting in God’s cycles, and finding hope in lighter days makes me smile. I ask myself daily – where did you experience joy today? There hasn’t been a day go by that I haven’t found at least some joy and most days, joy surged every second.
Spring is life. I am alive and grateful for another spring.
Hope wraps her strong arms around me on a cold April evening. Courage arrives shortly after reassuring me of better days ahead. Wisdom opens my eyes, not to focus on the frost, but to see the future possibilities in the greening buds in my garden. Faith deepens when I hold onto the promises of God.
Every season has its purpose and timing. But spring awakens us in new ways, gifts us with new life to grow and enjoy, and then spring optimism blooms.
Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.
Al Bernstein
What’s your favorite season and why?
I love the spring, too, Jean, but also enjoy the fall with all its glorious rampages of color as the leaves turn. In a way, their brilliance just before the “death” winter brings, assures me that in that death is life – we can face it showing our true colors because we know it is not the final word.
Blessings, my friend!
Interesting reading everyone’s favorite seasons. I have had a love/hate relationship with fall – reminded me too much of the coming winter until I decided to embrace its beauty and gifts and you are so right about their brilliance. It is a good reminder how to live. Thanks Martha – have a great week.
Hi Jean! Congrats on the flowering daffodils! I put in some raggedy tulip bulbs in the fall, and I can see a few of them starting to peek out from the dirt. Not as many as I put in though…well, I’m not much of a gardener, that’s for sure.
I smiled at the quote about spring never skipping it’s turn. Ha! In Chicago, it often skips it’s turn. We can go from snow to frying in the matter of a week. But I think Spring did show up this year, as we rock between 40’s and 60’s. Good things to come, and good things in waiting for those flowers!
Blessings,
Ceil
Daffodils yes, Tulips, no. the rabbits munch on them. LOL. Laughed as I am not much of a gardener either though I do better with flowers than vegetables. We really did have quite a turn on the weather lately – one reason why I posted what i did. darn groundhog. got my hopes up then dashed them. Good weather coming though for both of us. Have a great week, Ceil
Summer is my favorite season, but spring is my second favorite. 🙂 I too find joy seeing those green shoots popping up all over the place. So thankful for this truth: “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” Amen.
This is fun reading everyone’s favorite season. I do love summer too. I feel more alive. I think due to more sunshine and being able to get outside more. Yes love that quote too. More sun here today so we are making progress.