Spring
Oh, that special time of year–Spring! Is it your favorite season when nature awakens from her winter sleep and gifts us with amazing beauty? Or do spring allergies keep you trapped indoors?
I love Spring–flowers in their glory, tiny leaves burst forth to cover bare trees, and longer days entice me outside. During winter, nature rested and now shouts with joy and new life.
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. (Isaiah 2:11-12)
But Spring has hazards
I confess, the abundance of pollen affects my enjoyment of the season, but I mask up, cover up, and brave the biting bugs to enjoy nature and work in my yard. My labor often yields beauty through new growth and lovely blossoms. The ongoing fight with weeds and wild animals (critters that eat up or destroy my plants) is never completely won, but my efforts are not in vain.
This spring journey reminds me that:
- Our goals are worth fighting for
- Good results require hard work
- The harder I work, the better my results
- Enemies are everywhere and they don’t give up
- Obstacles constantly appear
- We keep fighting to reach our goals
In the garden, my enemies are bugs, varmints, heat, allergies, fatigue, and the urge to give up the fight.
Life has hazards too
Don’t some of the same challenges I list above–the battle I have in my flower garden–occur in life as well?
Life throws us a curveball, we’re faced with an unexpected hardship, and the enemy attacks us with lies that we can’t (or shouldn’t) complete our goals. We often face the same challenges spring bugs, weeds, and critters on the rampage throw at me.
But just as I have garden tools, bug spray, gloves, stubbornness, perseverance, and a hard work ethic to overcome obstacles and create a beautiful yard, our loving Lord and Savior grants us the tools to overcome trials that we face in daily living.
In God’s Word we find what we need:
The Armor of God provides vital tools–Paul writes to the church of Ephesus urging them to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesian 6:10). The Apostle encourages God’s people to “Put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). The armor Paul describes includes the “belt of truth,” the “breastplate of righteous,” the “shield of faith,” the “helmet of salvation,” and the “sword of the Spirit” (the word of God). (Ephesians 6:14-17)
God grants us the tenacity (stubbornness) to stand firm in our faith–Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Through His faithfulness, we are gifted with courage and perseverance to stay the course and complete our goals--The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Beauty emerges through our work
If I persevere in my garden, I’ll receive the reward of beautiful flowers–maybe. There are still other hazards; drought, pest and diseases that attack my plants (or me), allergies, and other responsibilities that pull me away from outdoor tasks. But my Father is with me in the effort–in my yard work and in my service to Him. Sometimes it is the journey, rather than the destination, that is most rewarding.
Each day is a blessing and God’s mercy and faithfulness are always with us, even in the midst of our trials (or mosquitoes, ticks, bees, and weeds).
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
What about you? Do you love Spring? Is enduring pollen worth the beauty?
I love the rhythm and timing of spring’s emergence. Not having allergies allows me to enjoy it even more!
You are blessed not to have allergies, but even when my nose is dripping, my eyes are itching, and sneezes attack, I still love spring. Like you, I love the process of spring’s arrival–such a marvelous part of our Father’s amazing Creation. Blessings!
I love spring too, Katherine. You are so right that in the midst of our trials, every day remains a blessing.
Our God is so good! Thank you, Diana.
Spring is my favorite time of year – a time of new growth. Thank you for this reminder of our ever moving journey.
Spring is my favorite, too, so much to love about the gift of God’s awesome creation. Happy Spring and may God bless you, Virginia.
Here in the Lowcountry of SC, we have several waves of pollen. We’ve had the first wave and now, it looks like the second wave is coming. I love Spring, but not the pollen. I love watching for the hummingbirds. My feeders have been out since February. God gives us the most glorious creations to enjoy. Have a blessed week! 🙂
I’m anxious for our hummingbirds to arrive, Melissa. Those busy and beautiful tiny creatures are a joy to watch. The worst of the pollen is yet to come here, but our Father’s amazing creation makes up for the inconvenience pollen inflicts. Wishing you joy and blessings!
Your post makes me want to run out to the garden store to get my spring flowers. And I loved the way you tied it into our faith. I pray your garden is beautiful this year Katherine.
Gardening and yard work are good therapy for me, Yvonne. Putting my hands in the dirt, planting, nurturing, weeding in hopes of the beauty to come feeds my soul. Wishing you joy in the season, my friend, and continued blessings in your ministry of service to our Lord.
Beautiful pictures, Katherine! I love to look at God’s colorful creation and spring is the perfect time for that.
Thank you, Laura. I agree, spring is the perfect time to view and savor the amazing beauty of God’s creation. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Wishing you a blessed week.
I love spring and I think the pollen is worth it. Though I’m thankful for allergy meds. Thanks for sharing!
Yes! I’m thankful for allergy meds, too, Sarah. The beauty and renewal spring brings is worth it! Wishing you joy and blessings.
Wonderful post, Katherine. We do need those armor tools to navigate the hardships and weeds of life.
I agree, Barbara. My Sunday School class this morning had a discussion on God’s armor. We all agreed of the need for His daily protection of armor and how grateful we are. Wishing you a blessed week, my friend.
Thanks Katherine! I always enjoy pausing and contemplating the verses you highlight. Tools of our faith was an encouraging truth for me today!
Thank you, Sylvia. We are so blessed by the “tools of our faith.” Our loving Father is “on the ready” to protect us from the enemy–He’s only a prayer away.
Peace and blessings!
Katherine—thank you so much for your message. I fight allergies, too, and I attract mosquitoes, unfortunately. But anything worth attaining is worth the fight. And, as you show us with your beautiful flowers and encouraging Bible verses, our fight to maintain and grow our faith, just like our fight to maintain and grow our garden, brings us results from the Master Gardener beyond what we can imagine. Thank you, dear friend, for inspiring me.
I think I’m a bug magnet in summer, too, Dorcas. Mosquitoes, may flies, ticks, and horse flies seem to love me. But I love being outside so much, those insects are a nuisance, but not enough to keep me trapped inside. Thank you for your kind encouragement, sweet friend. My Sunday School class is using Sustaining Life’s Victories for our lessons and we read your article today, “Conquering the Uphill Battles.” Our group was so inspired by your story. May God continue to bless you on your writing journey and in service to Him, my dear friend.
Thanks for your perspective, Katherine. Autumn is my favorite season. But spring is second on my list. 🙂
I love autumn as well, for its beauty and lovely weather. But spring provides me with such a blessing as I see nature being renewed, so fresh and clean. I’m reminded of my own salvation and rebirth. Thank you for your kind thoughts, Joni. Wishing you a blessed week.
I love Spring, and I’m blessed to NOT be an allergy-sufferer. 💐
Maureen, you are blessed if you don’t have allergies. I suffer, but I love spring anyway. I’m so grateful you stopped by my blog. Wishing you joy and blessings.