When the Spring of My Heart is Overdue
Thursday, March 5, 2020 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 seeâ€¦ 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.

Hosea 6:3

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

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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