It looks like Spring is finally here. I have bulbs that are pushing up green leaves six inches tall. The birds are singing louder in the warmer 50 degree weather. All creatures great and small open the doors of their winter homes to dance and leap in the sunshine.
What a crazy winter it was! My sister, who lives in Boston, will be happy not to see another snowflake in her life. Our winter here was gray. Cloudy. Snowy. Freezing and harsh. We’re still not out of the woods yet, it snowed this month. Still, the earth is tilting ever so carefully toward the sun. The season is slowly changing.
I’m fortunate to live in a place where I experience four seasons. They are all so different, but the one constant I see is the bumpy ride we experience as one season melts into another.
Spring is still trying to flex its muscles, attempting to crowd out the winter that wants to stay. One day it’s sunny and 65 degrees. The next day it’s gray, cold and in the 40’s. My closet bulges with winter and summer clothes mixed together. You just never know what to expect.
None of this crazy up and down stuff is much of a surprise though. We all know that change, in any form, is a rough ride. Actually, I experience a lot of consolation in watching the earth grapple with the seasons. I see the progression as a model for my spiritual life.
As I emerge from Lent to bask in the Easter glory of Christ, I pray that I share in the grace of this holy season. Lent was a time of quiet preparation for me. Quieter than usual, because I wasn’t mobile. I prayed the Scriptures, following Jesus’ life and Passion. I prayed that I would be changed somehow…to become more like him. Always human, but recognizing that the Father can shine through me, as he did with his Son.
And now Easter is here. Jesus has risen to prove his divinity, and asks all of us to prove that he is risen in us too. We are to be his ‘Easter People’. The change is ready to emerge in our budding spirits.
But I can’t be discouraged if my transition from Lent to Easter is a rutted road. God knows change is a messy business. It’s necessary, and he wants that change, but the transformation will not be on level ground. I’ll be burning with spiritual fire one day, and reaching in the cold for my prayer mittens the next.
Yet it’s a holy time. I’m growing and becoming, and that’s always exciting. So instead of eyeing the rocks on the way, I’ll lift my eyes to the person I am called to be. A new creation. An instrument of love that invites a new and shining Spring of the soul.
Like the new Spring season, the change will come. It might just take some time.
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
Linking today with: Kelly @Purposeful Faith
seems like our spring here too:)
anyway, I am glad that we can look forward to more warmer days…and live our lives with God and change us little by little for His glory.
Happy Easter to you:)
Hi Joy! Seems like the season changes are never seamless. But like you, I’m looking forward to warmer days, and getting out in my mess of a garden!
I agree that God changes us in little steps, just like children. And like the weather
I hope you had a wonderful Easter too,
Ceil
I like the connection you make between budding spring and your spiritual life. Change is messy. Oh, yes, it is! Love this: ” I’ll be burning with spiritual fire one day, and reaching in the cold for my prayer mittens the next.” So true. Happy spring. Indeed, it will come.
Hi Mary! Happy Spring to you too! The weather change always makes me feel hopeful, no matter what the season. And just like the quirky weather pattern, my prayer life is like that too. Sigh…
We’ll all get there someday right? In the meantime, it’s good to remember the path is a holy one. Thanks for your visit! It’s good to see an old friend
Blessings,
Ceil
Change is challenging, even good change! I hope spring is here to stay for you!
Hi Elizabeth! You are so right. Change is always a climb, but worth the struggle!
Today it’s in the 50’s, getting to the 70’s by Wednesday. Then…back down again. Always a fun ride
Happy Monday!
Ceil
Welcome back, my friend! I pray your time away with family was very special and that you are continuing to recover and become more mobile. Yes, this winter has been one for the books…even here in NC…so very unpredictable. Like you, also experiencing the “warm fuzzies” to the distant “where are yous” at times. I am so thankful for a risen Savior who understands and loves me through every season. Your post spoke right to my heart, dear Ceil. Blessings!
Hi Debby! I did have a good time away. Lots of PT sessions and taking the time to heal. It was important to rest, and that’s definitely what I did!
I’m glad I am not alone in the fluctuations of my prayer life with Christ. The season changes remind me so much of that. You make such a good point, God loves us through it all. He doesn’t change at all.
So good to hear from you my friend! Happy Monday
Ceil
So good to see your post, Ceil. Your words reflect what is in my heart. My impatience for change wars with the inevitable discomfort that change brings. But deep in my soul I know that whatever changes God brings about will always be in my best interest. Have a blessed Spring season, Ceil. Christ is risen!
Hi Pam! It’s good to see you too! I love the way you phrased your struggle with prayer and change, it is like a war isn’t it? And you war on with trust that God will bring you what you need. Love that!
Happy Spring to you my friend. May the new life you see remind you of your own renewal in the soul,
Ceil
Welcome back. I hope and pray you are well and fully recovered.
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Peaceful New Season full of Hope and Joy.
God bless you always.
Hi Victor! Thank you for your warm words! I am doing so much better, still walking with a cane, but in much less pain. My physical therapy got extended for a few weeks in hopes I’ll be able to walk without any props. I hope that happens
Happy Easter to you and yours my good friend. It sure is a wonderful time of grace.
Blessings,
Ceil
What a great analogy you have given us here in the change from winter to spring, Ceil. It isn’t smooth sailing and changes can be slow in coming, but the journey as Easter People is worth every step taken.
Blessings to you!
Hi Martha! Thank you for your kind words about the post. Seems like change is never smooth, right? And I love the phrase ‘Easter people’, we really are. We have the Risen Christ in our very bodies and souls.
I hope you had a great celebration, and that Spring comes soon to your part of the country. Thanks for visiting
Ceil
It is good to hear from you Ceil. I took some time during the Lent season (which we don’t really celebrate) to focus on worship. it was a good thing. I listened Saturday to our worship team practice for Sunday and I was overwhelmed to the point of tears often. I found myself choked up, unable to talk, tears in my eyes and all over my glasses from blinking lashes. I too look forward to a new season.
Hi Bill! What a wonderful experience it must be to see and hear the holiness of your flock. Praising the Risen Lord. I’d probably choke up too. It’s wonderful to know we are not alone in our deep love for Christ.
I hope you continue to have a blessed Easter time, full of graces you see, and those given in secret from God. He is Risen!
Blessings,
Ceil
Beautiful words spoken from your heart. Ah, yes….springtime. It’s such a wonderful time of year. Yesterday, Easter SONday, was spent in church, worshipping the One who gave His life for me….for us all! Glad to see you back. HOPE you’re leg is healing!
Hi Deb! How nice to see you today
It really is a wonderful time of the year…so much change and growth, and celebrating the Risen Lord. So much to be thankful for! Like you, my husband and I attended church, and it was a prayerful experience.
My leg is doing much better, thank you. Still need a cane to get around but I’m HOPEFUL that I’ll be tossing that aside in the next few weeks.
Happy Monday,
Ceil
Oh how I have missed you my friend! I have been feeling those great spiritual highs and then the lows come. I get discourged. But as you say maybe I shouldn’t, there is something coming in the form of change and I will continue to pray through and stay close to the Lord during this time. Hugs my friend!
Hi Monica! Thank you for your kind words about my absence. It was good to concentrate on healing and physical therapy, but it’s great to be back in blog-land too!
I do think that we are always growing and changing as long as we are interested in doing that. Prayer changes, but God never does. Yay!! I know good things are coming for you my friend.
Hugs right back to you! Hope you’re having a great Monday
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
lovely to see you back, I hope your leg is feeling much better now. We too here in Wales are enjoying the transition of Winter into Spring, and I love how it speaks spiritually to us when we are believers. It certainly does take time to bring what is changing on the inside to reveal itself on the outside, but isn’t it so good that we have the same One who fashioned the plants and the seasons fashioning us. What you have written is lovely.
God bless you.
Hi Brenda! It’s good to be back, believe me. My leg is much better, not a lot of pain. I’m going to continue with PT for another few weeks. Thanks for your good wishes!
Such a lovely mental image you gave here, of the God of the seasons being the same who changes those seasons in us too. I really like that, thank you! And thank you for your kind words about the post.
Happy Monday, and it’s great to see you again
Ceil
Strike up the band!!
Grab the confetti!!
Ceil is back!!
And we all couldn’t be happier!!
Sure did miss you, friend. And hope that you’re feeling stronger in all the ways that matter most.
Hugs. Lots of ’em …
;-}
Hi Linda! Oh, you are so cute!!! Thank you for your enthusiastic welcome today
I missed you too, and yes, I do feel stronger in many different ways. It was a good retreat time for me. I know you had a blog break too, so you know how refreshing they can be. May God fill us with his wisdom and love, so we can pass it along to each other for support and joy in the coming year!
Happy Monday my friend!
Ceil
Ceil, I hope you and your family had a blessed Easter! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Always love to hear from you!
Hi Sr.! We did have a wonderful Easter Celebration. My husband and I visited with my brother and his family, even had lamb! My mom used to make leg of lamb every Easter, but it always intimidated me. It was really good
I hope your Easter was joyous and filled with grace for you and your community. God bless us!
(I always love hearing from you too!),
Ceil
Changeable weather here on the UK too, although plants and trees bursting into bud and bloom: birds making nests and bees and early butterflies everywhere. The creatures don’t fear change or upheaval – wish I could feel like that.
When I put unwanted plants and excess seedlings on the compost heap I mentally tell them they are just going to be recycled and changed into something else. I feel a bit like that at the moment! Change and upheaval are inevitable – just hope I can be transformed into something better!
Do hope you are more mobile and also rested, both physically and mentally now. Andrina X
Hi Andrina! What a beautiful picture you paint of Spring. So much more life, don’t you think? Such a good point about fear too. Learning to accept change is a life-long work for me.
Change is also exciting, so I’m excited for you that you feel like you are in that time of life. I know you’ll be something better, because it’s what you want, and God wants it for you!
Thank you for your good wishes. I am getting around better these days. I’m going to try driving this week. It’s been over three months since I last drove, seems like years. I use a cane to get around, but I hope that will be in my past in a few weeks.
Happy Monday
Ceil
Beautiful and inspirational! Happy Easter! Happy to see you writing again
Hi Patty! You are so kind, thank you for encouraging comment about the post. Happy Easter to you too! It’s great to be back again.
Happy Monday!
Ceil
Welcome back to your blog writing, Ceil! I hope it’s not too soon for you…Healing-wise. Loved your analogies to spring, season changes and Easter promises….You are not alone in needing to be patient! Take good care!
Whoa!! Look who showed up in the comment section!!!!! Thanks for leaving me such lovely words my friend
I’m doing pretty well really. Not much pain these days, and I’ve graduated to a cane. Feels like progress to me. And yes, we all need to be patient, it’s good to know that we are not alone in that. You are always in my prayers, you know that. Thank you for praying for me too.
Have a great Monday, thanks for coming over!
Ceil
Hey Ceil, I’m so glad you had a refreshing time away. I’m in Virginia Beach, and Spring is finally here. I couldn’t be happier!
I love the correlation you made between the change in seasons and our spiritual walk. It’s hard not to keep our eyes on the rock along the way–a daily choice we have to make constantly. Thanks for another reminder today to stay focused.
Hi Crystal! It sounds beautiful where you are, I’m a wee bit jealous! We’re still playing ‘back and forth’ with the weather. But there’s no snow, so I am grateful for that!
Thank you for your supportive comments about the post, and you are so right about the daily choices. We can make each day a blessing or a burden just by our way of looking at life.
Best of blessings on your editing!
Ceil
Hi Ceil
Good top see you back!
I hope you had a beautiful Easter and I wish you always “springtime of the soul”
Love that expression …
Hi Margie! Oh my, I hope that I am always in a perpetual Spring in my soul too. Thank you for your wish for me!
It’s great to be back again. The time off was good for my heart and my body.
Monday blessings my friend,
Ceil
*to* not top …
Oh, have a wonderful and blessed day!
Got it! And I did have a great day. Hope you had the same
We are in for a sunny, warm week here and I’m happy to say goodbye to cold weather! I love the four seasons and I try to savor each one. Some seasons move on too quickly for my liking, and some can’t be over soon enough! I think it’s the same with our life journey! Happy Easter, Ceil!
Hi Aneta! Absolutely. Some spiritual seasons are so full of joy and heart, others are so bare and hard. (Just like the seasons of the earth.) I’m glad you’ll have such a sunny week! Just rain here. Oh well, our time will come…it just might take a while
Monday blessings,
Ceil
I’ve missed you, dear friend. Welcome back. I find change to be somewhat difficult. In order to get through changing times, we may have to change something about who we are–our actions or our habits. Coming out of Lent and into Easter, I learned I really need to practice letting go of things that are difficult for me to handle.
Spring, as I like it, has not arrived here, yet. But, I know it is coming.Because I have hope.
Hi Cecelia! Thank you for your heart-warming comments. I’ve missed being here too! And you make a wonderful point about hope. What is life without it? We have to have that spiritual gift to put our trust in the Lord.
What a fruitful Lent you had! Letting go and letting God is another great gift, both to yourself and to God. Bless you for your faithfulness.
Spring will come, we know that. Because of our hope!
Monday blessings,
Ceil
Hi Ceil, I loved your post it is beautiful, I’m glad to hear you had a nice Easter. Miss you
Hi Diana! How fun to see you here!!! I did have a good Easter, I hope you did too. You sure have the best weather of all of us there in sunny Florida. Love the photo’s on FB. Keep them coming
I miss you too my friend. Hope your Monday was a good one,
Ceil
Welcome back my friend!
We had a mild winter but it still hasn’t warmed up. I heard it will be nicer later this week.
It sounds like you had a lovely Lent season. I read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John through Lent. It was a wonderful experience and filled me with joy and anticipation of Easter.
Thanks for sharing my friend! Happy Easter.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I did have a very fruitful Lent, even though I was so tired most of the time. Good for you to read all those Scriptures! You always amaze with the zeal you have for writing and your faith.
We had Easter at my brother’s house, even had lamb! Now we are left with the challenge to be Easter people. I want to remember that.
Have a great Tuesday
Ceil
Ceil, it is do wonderful to see a post from you!
I have been away looking after my parents and still trying to catch up on visiting,I wasn’t sure if I had just missed your posts, but I think not.
I trust you are healing well?
This was an excellent message reflecting spring and new life.
I am at a place in my spiritual life where I am wanting new, new in manyareas of my life. God seems to have me waiting in His holding tank right now with a few things.
I continue on my knees in prayer looking to Him as I wait.
My prayer daily has been psalm 25: 4&5
I desire only to be like Christ, but some days can be challenging.
Glory be to God!
Debbie
Hi Debbie! Thank you, it’s great to be back. Sounds like you’ve been pretty busy too. I hope your parents are doing well? I’ll stop by your blog and see what you’ve been up to. Yes, I am healing well. I use a cane now, but my leg has less and less pain. It’s good.
I hope that you can be patient with God, it sounds like he has plans for you! I can sure relate to the idea of being in a holding tank…it’s a holy place, but hard to stay without squirming around! I hope King David’s prayers are supporting you.
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Great to see you again
Ceil
Oh Ceil…
It’s SO good to have you back and to read your beautiful and inspiring words once again! Oh how I soak them in, and feel such a deep connection with you as I too, forge ahead in the muddy rain and freezing drizzle that is my limping walk and my life with the Lord. Reading this, gives me hope and truth that in time the sun will shine its warmth on the earth around me, and I too will shine once again as I still feel the need to burrow beneath the rocks at times.
I pray for the Passion to ignite new beginnings within me too…
Hi Chris! It’s great to be back, believe me! We are twin ‘limpers’ my friend. I’m off to PT today, and I know that with every week, I get stronger and have less pain. God is good! And you will too. The sun will shine on us again
May God send the sunshine of his love and grace into your soul, and ignite your passion with his very own. I know he wants to do just that!
Blessings,
Ceil
It was so good to see your post in our inbox! I have wondered about how you were recuperating and how you were feeling. So thankful God is seeing you through, and yes, my friend, your springtime is coming.
I am praying for you.
Hi Cheryl! I am doing very well, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I’m sure that’s why I am doing so well!
May God send his new Spring to both of us, and warm our souls to do his will in our lives.
God bless!
Ceil
“Yet it’s a holy time. I’m growing and becoming, and that’s always exciting. So instead of eyeing the rocks on the way, I’ll lift my eyes to the person I am called to be. A new creation. An instrument of love that invites a new and shining Spring of the soul.” It is exciting to see how God is working in our lives and where He is leading us, even with the “rocks” in the way. I love reading your post! Yes, spring is coming
Hi Gayl! Thank you for your kind words about the post today. It’s nice to back on the blog at last
I hope Spring comes soon to your neck of the woods!
Ceil
I’m so thankful Spring is here at last too! But I do love the four seasons changing, changing, never a dull moment. Yes, messy. That’s the way transformation often is, yes? “Yet it’s a holy time.” Love this, Ceil.
Hi Lisa! So nice to see you again
Never a dull moment is right. It’s so cool again here today, in the 40’s. Then they predict rain and wind and 70’s for tomorrow. Yikes! It sure is a messy, bumpy ride. But that is the way, just as you said.
Hope Spring is making it’s way to you!
Ceil
Interestingly, every place we have lived, even overseas has 4 seasons. Each one looks a little different then Ky where we lived for years and call home. Yet the seasons are there and I so agree one can relate our spiritual life to each season. Some would say, spring is for being born, summer is for living fully, fall is for slowing seasons in down and winter is getting ready to leave. But I think there is in every year these four season to grasp, each one bringing us close to the creator of the seasons. Good post Ceil.
Hi Betty! When I lived in Arizona, I really missed winter of all things! I really appreciate the change of seasons. What a great thing to always have been in a place to do that. Even overseas, as you mentioned!
Each season has it’s own story to tell, and I think it always depends on where I am spiritually. God knows how to speak a word that wakes me to the lesson. I just have to be sure to listen!
Nice to see you again, and I hope that Spring is bringing you good weather,
Ceil
Oh Ceil…God is ever working in us, healing us, growing us, changing us. Even in seasons when all seems dead and still {like our long NY winter!!} He is at work in our hearts in all the moments of all the time He gives us. Transforming us in to His likeness. Glory! Thanks for sharing your heart. Hope your bulbs bloom bright and beautiful soon. #RaRaLinkup
Hi Sheila! I love the sunny photo you have for your image. Reminds me the sun is coming! It’s cold and cloudy today, but I have hope for the Spring to settle into a warm rhythm soon. The bulbs continue to grow, and I see some little heads starting to form. I hope they don’t freeze!
God is always working on us, I so agree with that. He wants us to look like Him, full of sunny hope and spiritual growth. May we both please him with our transformations
Nice to meet you today!
Ceil
So grateful for that (yes, often messy and painful) growing and becoming work that God does in us. So nice to have you back Ceil! Hope your leg is doing better and praying for continued strength and healing for you.
Hi Mindy!! Happy Easter and Happy Spring to you my friend
It’s great to be back, let me tell ‘ya. I’m still in PT, but getting better week by week. Keep praying for sure! I hope you had a great Easter celebration? We had dinner at my brother’s house, which was so nice.
Great to be connected again!
Ceil
Ceil- this is such a good message. Growth cannot be managed or rushed- and the seasons remind us that His timing is perfect and that each one has a purpose. Thanks for such powerful and encouraging reminders.
Hi Karen! Thank you for your kind words. You make a good point about growth needing time. And patience!
I hope I’ll always accept his timing for me. It is always perfect.
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Good morning sweet Ceil! Aw yes; lots of changes here as well. Yes; I have been on a long break; out of town working for two weeks, then on vacation for one! Retiring end of next week! Woo hoo! I am hoping to get back into the swing of things soon. So much change, but what a beautiful season to enter into and experience what God has in store for me!!
I hope you are doing well, and becoming more and more mobile sister!
Love and blessings!
Denise
Hi Denise! How great to see you!! Wow, you’ve been busy…and retirement?? That’s so exciting
Can’t wait to hear about what God has planned for you my talented friend. Enjoy vacation, you deserve it that’s for sure!
I am doing better each day. I’m still using a cane, but time will help with my gait and strength, and I’ll be back to my old self again. I never knew it would take so long. Yeesh. It’s hard to be elderly!
Love and blessings right back to you,
Ceil
Oh Ceil I love this! I’ve missed your writing. I hope you’re feeling better and getting a little more mobile. I hope your Dad’s birthday was a blessed celebration. We’re celebrating with my Dad next month. It’s a blessing to still be able to enjoy time with them.
Hi Deb! It’s nice to be back. I am feeling better and getting more mobile too. It’s such a great thing to just be able to stand up with steadiness on my own!
Happy Birthday to your Dad! You are so right, we should enjoy the time we have with our families, especially our parents. I’m so blessed to have him.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Ceil
Beautifully written, Ceil. I have missed you and your words of wisdom. I pray God reminds you daily, as you see new life emerging all around you in this season of renewal, of the unchanging season of His grace and love.
Blessings, Friend!
Hi Lulu! Thank you for your good wishes and prayers too. Spring is a time of renewal and new life, but God’s love never changes does it. Great point, and a comforting one too!
Nice to see you again my friend
Ceil
YES! Spring! my favorite time of year. I feel like I shed the heaviness of winter and come alive and dance in spring. love it.
Hi Jean! Now I would love to see that Spring dance…maybe I’d join in too!
The change of seasons always heralds a new season, with all it’s promise. I pray we’ll both have a wonderful experience in the awakening of God’s creation!
Blessings,
Ceil