By Melissa McLaughlin
Spring is my favorite season of the year. I love to witness new life bursting forth from what once appeared dead and gone. The vivid colors, the sweet fragrances, the lengthening daylight. It all speaks of hope. Hope from that which seemed hopeless. Life from that which seemed lifeless. Anticipation. Promise. Expectancy. Belief. This is spring.
Recently, I took a walk on a day when my spirit was pressed down, low as a pine branch under the weight of snow after a heavy winter storm. How I needed God to renew my hope. The air was crisp and cool. Mercifully, the bitterness of winter had diminished. My eyes scanned the horizon back and forth for buds, for green, for life. But most of all for signs of springtime hope to stir my leaden heart.
At first glance all I could detect was a sea of brown. Dead. Dark. Lifeless leftovers of a winter season that would not release its clutches on my mind.
With God’s gentle touch, I began to see it anew. With wonder and delight. The graceful arc of the meadow grass.
The cozy leaves tucked in the branches just so, lining the squirrel’s nest.
The dainty weed whispering at the edge of the path.
The sweet gum tree balls dancing lightly in the wind like forgotten ornaments on a Christmas tree.
As my mind drifted toward thoughts of spring, my heart began to remember. Remember that God is faithful. Remember that God is trustworthy. Remember that God is kind. Even when my eyes can’t see, I know spring is coming. Yes, God is faithful. As faithful, steady and sure as the seasons He created.
The rhythms of our seasons are a soothing balm for the soul. Like a little child, we sense God’s faithfulness knowing spring will come and knowing what it will hold. We find joy in the knowledge that He will “do it again!”
We experience a deep soul comfort in the certainty that spring follows winter. The cold, harsh, dead dormancy will end. The warmth of the Son will seep into the crevices of the winter-hardened earth, much like He softens the soil of our hearts after a long season in the winter of life.
The gentle spring rains will fall again. The buds will bulge on the trees. The green shoots will pop up from the ground.
We may not yet see it.
But we know it.
With every fiber of our being we know it.
My mind, heart and body began to believe it. Just as surely as spring will come, so my God will come. He will meet me right where I am, speak to my soul in the quietness of the breeze and sing to me through the melody of the birds. God will bring new life from the ashes of my tired and weary bones. He will pulse through my veins with the strength of renewed vitality in Christ. He will grow strong and steady, deep roots and leafy branches, bearing fruit I could never imagine on my own.
Not because I am worthy or faithful or true.
But because God is worthy, faithful and true.
As surely as the spring will come, so will my God.
God’s faithfulness started to catch hold in my soul. Though I’ve known this forever, He spoke it anew to me yet again. He gave me eyes to see new life, new hope, new breath in Christ. First in the hints of green along the stream bed.
Next in the tiniest flash of plants and flowers, some no bigger than my pinky fingernail!
For those who have eyes to see. Be assured today of God’s faithfulness. Even when we can’t see… God is moving. God is alive. God is powerful. God is active. Awake, oh my soul! Your King has come!
Yes, the snowdrops have bloomed, but they will soon be gone. Though the winters of life may seem long, be encouraged dear one, spring will surely come.
Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not; thy compassions, they fail not.
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Lyrics By Thomas Obediah Chisholm / Sung here by Maranatha! Music
Photos ©Melissa McLaughlin
Additional resources:
This is My Father’s World By Melissa McLaughlin
Three Prayers of Hope By Melissa McLaughlin
Ah, the hope of spring. Such a great reminder of God’s faithfulness. Thanks for then post.
Thank you for reading, CG, and sharing with me in the joy of spring and the beauty of God’s faithfulness! May God bless you and remind you of His presence.
Beautiful post and photos! â¤ðŸ’•
Thank you, Valerie! Glory to God, the Bringer of spring! For some reason, this year it seems so long awaited for me. But there is simple joy in knowing spring will come. And God is faithful as the world He has made.
Once again, You are a Great Writer, Melissa.
🃠When there’s a time, and then again another time, one may need a return of lift of soul by our Wonderful Counselor, one also might only search the heart; because the heart of the sound character carries their every thanks to God within it of these very things. His provision of all the earth, which was once perfect, and gifts from Perfect Love; and we find this also in another Person. Another of God’s creation. Ones who do shine. Blessing to You & The Family.
StevenðŸŽðŸƒ
Thank you for the kind words, Steven! Glory to God, the Author and Perfector of our lives! Though our bodies and spirits grow weary from time to time, God is always faithful, the hope of Christ is always available and the Holy Spirit is within to renew our hearts again and again. What a good, good Father! The Lord bless you and keep you.
Beautiful photos! I always view spring as a breath of fresh air. Like God is telling us to breathe in and soak up His beauty and faithfulness.
Thank you, Michelle! God gave me a new lens through which to view that day and I am so grateful! Otherwise, I would have missed His quiet beauty. I agree, spring is a breath of God’s fresh air for the soul. What a gift from our faithful heavenly Father!
You have woven the pictures and your words so beautifully! This post is like a tiny songbird singing the Good News of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Yes, you are right, God is ever faithful. I thank Him for the melody of hope playing upon a keyboard…and the little songbird is you! Keep singing your songs because they spark joy for others…
Praise the Lord!Thank you for the words of kindness, dear Linda! Yes, it’s true, God is playing a melody of hope over and over. Oh Lord, give us ears to hear your lovely voice above the noise and chaos! Linda, your words are a sweet melody from His heart to me. Bless you, dear sister!
You paint a beautiful picture with your words. My soul does long for a the promise of spring. I love watching everything bloom and bud. As I type this, I hear the birds twerp outside. Spring will be here soon. Thanks ðŸ™
Thank you, Yvonne, for enjoying this painting of God’s beautiful world. Though I had to look a little harder to find His artistry. But of course, it was there all along! I love imagining the bird songs you hear! Yes, God is faithful and the promise of spring will be fulfilled! Bless you!
Living in the Midwest is a place I did not grow up in, as I am originally from Southern California. So I never really understood Spring until moving here many years ago to raise our children. WOW! Do I get it now! I can’t wait for Spring once February hits. The winters here can lag and make me long for those days in sunny So Cal. Yet, there is something really special about the cycles of life here. It does speak to us about our Creator and the hope of new life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts in such a poetic way.
Oh, Lisa, you’re making me wish I lived in Southern California about now! You’re right, I do enjoy the seasons and the faithfulness God illustrates through this element of His creation. However, right about now, my heart is aching for spring. For me this really reflects spiritual seasons I have experienced. So, like the physical world, I know our God will come. Just like the spring rains! Thank you for reading and offering your thoughtful reflections!
Beautiful and uplifting words of hope! Thank you Melissa for the reminders, not just of spring, which we longed for so intensely when we lived up north, but for the nearness of the Lord, for his work in our lives, for the closeness of his presence, and the evidence of his love. These are encouraging words of hope!
Thank you, Melinda! And I’m still giving thanks to God for giving me that glimpse of spring. Most of all for my heart. Somehow that day, His faithfulness was like a ray of hopeful sunlight piercing through the clouds. May our hope in Christ lift our spirits again!
So beautiful, Melissa. I find myself longing for Spring every year. I’m just not a cold natured girl, and thrive more during the other seasons, especially summer. And because I’m in a hard, cold season right now in the valley I’m been walking in for 2 months, I long for all things to be new and spring forth in beauty and for new life from death. Yet, I know God is with us in all seasons, literally and symbolically. I love your 3 “remembers:”
“Remember that God is faithful. Remember that God is trustworthy. Remember that God is kind.” Thank you, Lord. Spring is coming and so are you!
I’m like you, Karen, a warm weather girl. I sport Merino wool socks from September to May. Sometimes I feel like I never really warm up until June. So, yes, how I long for spring. I love flowers, too, so the lush green of spring and the colorful blooms nourish my soul, as I see God’s artistry strewn about everywhere. So yes, these glimpses of spring mean so much to me, physically and spiritually. He is faithful. He is with us in these cold, harsh barren seasons. And yes, spring will come!
Reminds me of a song: wonderful words of life. Thanks Melissa
Hi Bruce! Thank you for stopping by and offering your words of encouragement! You’re right, God’s work in our world and in our lives is like a song. Most heavenly melody of all!
Such great, needed encouragement. Thanks, Melissa! I always love your personal pictures, too!💕
God bless you, Jessie! Thank you for reading and joining me here. Glory to God, who can encourage our souls when all else seems beyond hope. God’s creation is a daily inspiration to me, but on this particular day, God opened my eyes to see more than I was able to see on my own. He is faithful in His creation and He is faithful in our lives. He will surely come, as surely as the spring rains!
Oh, Melissa, I long for springtime also! Thank you for taking us along with you on your looking-for-spring-walk. I always went for walks like that at the end of winter, when my heart seemed to be starving for New Life. I do miss those walks now, but you have brought such joy to my heart tonight. God is so good to bring us such beautiful pictures to remind of His faithfulness. He is so good to us! Blessings and love to you, Dear Friend!
Dear Bettie, thank you for coming along on my looking-for-spring-walk! It is amazing how much God’s creation stirs and renews my soul. My heart aches for you, sweet sister, that you are notzble to take these walks anymore. Praying for God to lift your pain today and encourage your heart. May He give you a special touch that you know is just for you. May the hope we have in Christ shine ever brighter! Praying for you now. Love and hugs to you!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful message. I love seeing how God changes the seasons for us, physically and spiritually. 🙂
Melissa, it’s true! God does change the seasons of our lives, both physically and spiritually. May the hope of new life He sends in spring remind us again and again of our new life in Christ. In Jesus, truly, hope springs eternal!