Isn’t it incredible that spring is around the corner? We’ve been transitioning Christmas items to winter at the shop and will soon be swapping them out for spring.
Seasons change is so refreshing and energizing, I think! Much as we as humans resist change, the consistency of God’s nature and the patterns of the seasons is something we can anticipate.
True, here in the south we are just as likely to have an unpredictably warm winter day in the 80s, but that’s something else we can count on – the temps any given day will be comment worthy!
Fresh Hope
Spring is refreshing, isn’t it?! Maybe it’s the way the plants and trees bud out. The sunny, fresh mornings fill me with anticipation and hope! What will this season hold? What opportunities will present themselves?
I rather think creativity is a wonderful byproduct of hope. You realize all the potential around you and it fills you with thoughts of all that might be accomplished!
God is so good to fill us with hope. Sometimes things can get us down and look bleak, but even in those moments you can hold on to a quiet confidence that brighter days are coming.
I once heard the analogy that your dreams are on the way, it’s just a matter of when they arrive. It’s up to you to remain peaceful and expectant and full of hope while you wait.
Waiting Isn’t for the Weak
We all wait on things in life – and if we’re really doing it right, we cause others to wait on us {wink!}.
But here is an interesting thing – God’s timing is perfect, it is only our impatience and unrealistic expectations that disrupt our peace and joy. We will get to the destination – whatever it is – at the perfect time. Not a second early or a moment late.
Our job is to travel that journey well. It isn’t for the weak, but rather those who are strong in their confidence in the Lord. And just as surely as we know that spring is around the corner, we can know that in God’s perfect time and way, we will get to that next chapter, that next place that we so anticipate!
And maybe just like the weather shifts and gives us a hot day in the dead of winter, maybe we get a glimpse of what might be, only to have winter return, and that dream not be fulfilled quite yet. That doesn’t mean we need to question God and give up on our dream, but perhaps we should use it as an opportunity to thank Him for the glimpse of what He has for us.
Something Even Better
One thing I have noticed time and time again, be it a story shared by another or my own personal experience, when we remain expectant and hopeful even in the midst of a dream falling apart, it means a more beautiful answer to that dream is on the way.
I’ll be honest, it probably won’t be speedy – few things are – but it will be more than worth everything. The disappointments, the hurt, the sadness of what didn’t work out. Far and beyond, more than we can hope or imagine!
And when we keep our attitude right, anticipating that spring is around the corner, we can realize the answers to our prayers all the better! Of this I am certain: God always answers prayer – always – and His plans are perfect.
Maybe take that four letter word “wait” and throw it out. People focus too much on waiting on a husband or a date or a job, etc. The Bible says to wait on the Lord, to renew your strength and to press on. Redirect that focus that you previously had on “waiting” to anticipating what’s ahead and giving God your best where He has you here and now. Because I can assure you, spring is around the corner!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2022/12/14/brighter-days-ahead/