Take Me Back Tuesday: Winter, Spring and Blue Bonnets

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that He cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.: – Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4, 11,12

I love the seasons. Well…I love every one of them except for winter. Winter is the one I could do without. Generally I am not an exclusive person, always wanting to include everyone, but if I had the choice, winter would be excluded. Nixed. Done for. Deleted. However, at the end of the day…I don’t get a choice. Winter IS inevitable. It comes every year and unless you live along the Equator, you must endure it. Believe me, there have been times that I’ve wanted to move to the Equator to escape all that winter brings. And yet, I don’t leave. I stay and I endure it. Maybe it’s because I lack courage. Or maybe…maybe it’s because deep down I know that it is winter that gives full meaning and appreciation to spring. Without the leaves falling, the grass dying, the birds flying south for the winter and the bitter chill in the air…well, I probably wouldn’t get such a big smile on my face whenever I see the first blooms of spring. It wouldn’t bring me nearly as much joy when the sun comes out and my feet slip in to some old sandals. No, I must admit, winter has purpose.

As it is with everyone, there are seasons of my life that are harder than others. Seasons that are more challenging. Confusing. Heavy. Burdened. In the midst of those seasons it can be easy to feel like the Lord has forgotten me. Abandoned me to the cold deadness of winter. But in reality, it is those seasons that are the richest because they give the most meaning to seasons of joy. I was pondering this during a low point last week and in perfect ‘God-timed’ fashion, I heard one of my favorite songs. My favorite line goes like this: “In every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing.”  No matter what ‘season’ I am in, not only is there purpose in it…but there is a reason to sing. I have been given the greatest gift. Salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ. It is that gift that enables me to sing and find purpose no matter what season I am in. You see, at the end of it all, that is my promise that spring is on its way…

I suppose I am becoming inundated with Texas traditions because this past weekend, on the way  back from an engagement shoot in College Station, TX…I had to stop and take pictures of the blue bonnets. Apparently everyone does it and they were too beautiful to resist. What a great reminder of the wonder of new life and the promise that we will indeed come out of winter!! Spring has begun to make its appearance in Texas and I couldn’t be happier! It is also Easter week which is yet another reminder of the joy that is found in Christ!

So, in the name of winter, seasons, blue bonnets and Easter,

I say, Take Me Back!