Despite the prediction of a furry Pennsylvania rodent, I believe we are on the cusp of spring. Birds are chattier. Daffodils poke heads from the ground. Brown yards are tinged with shades of green. Mild afternoons hint at warming.
I’m ready for the chill and dreariness of winter to take a back seat to greenness and warmth.
Lasting Winter
One reason I’m ready for spring is to move beyond a time of renewed grief. There are things I love about winter, but sadness is not one of them.
Sometimes, life seasons last longer than we want them to, especially if it’s a time of grief, depression, illness, or general malaise. Perhaps it feels as if the bleakness of winter has been present longer than the normal length of the season. When wintry feelings linger, hold on to the hope of renewal ahead.
What wintry element of your life are you ready to see in the rearview mirror?
Embracing Renewal
I long for renewal and refreshment in this season of life. Do you? Getting there, finding renewal and embracing it requires effort; it doesn’t just happen.
Perhaps, for you, embracing renewal involves moving out of old patterns. What is limiting you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? Maybe you need a time of self-assessment. What steps do you need to take to move toward renewal and away from the lethargy of self-absorption, hibernation, stagnation, and downward thought processes?
Renew your mind with prayer, scripture, and times of positive reflection. Embrace gratitude.
Forward Motion
Rekindling and sustaining forward motion after a life season of winter, while difficult, is possible. God doesn’t want us to stay mired in seasonal grief, depression, guilt, or blaming. God’s desires for us are always good, always a greening process of renewal, faith, and moving forward to His best for us.
Today, even if you feel you can’t take one small step ahead, trust God to move you, to walk with you as you wait and travel with you toward the refreshment and replenishment of spring.
“For I will [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person” (Isaiah 31:25 AMPC).
“The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love” (Zephaniah 3:17 CEV).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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