It started two weeks ago. Little green sprouts poking up through the frozen, barren ground. Ground that, thanks to a winter of record-breaking cold, was so hard just a month ago that not even my shovel made a dent in it. So you can imagine my delight when I spotted those bits of green pushing their way through that same, dead earth. I checked them every day, watching and waiting. Because I knew what was coming. And sure enough, last week those hardy green shoots boasted buds. With unseasonable frosts in the forecast, I worried they wouldn’t make it. But hallelujah! Not only did they survive, but this week they exploded in beautiful blossoms. Now, instead of empty ground, crocuses and miniature irises paint my yard with purple and yellow. And today, the daffodils and jonquils joined in, bringing a smile to my face and heart with the news:
Spring is here!
Funny, but every year I go through the same thing. Winter hits, it’s cold and dark and, at times, depressing. It feels as though it’s going to last forever. The skies are dark and overcast and it’s as dark at midday as it is at night and we will never see the sun again!
Until the day we do. And all the depression and darkness…
Melts away.
It occurred to me today that we, as writers, go through similar struggles in our writing. There are those golden days when the imagination is on fire, ideas come faster than we can corral them, and we’re convinced we can do this gig for as many days as the Lord grants us life. And then, BAM! Creativity dries up. The warm of words turns cold and every sentence is a battle. Our efforts to refresh or restore fall flat. Our minds feel fogged in, overcast, and unbearably dark. And we’re so painfully aware that we will
Never.
Write.
Again.
Until the day we do.
Spring returns again, as it does every time, and God breathes a story into our frozen minds and the mental, emotional, or physical prison doors fly open, and we’re FREE!
We’ve all experienced them, these seasons of a creative life. There are the summers of glorious words pouring from your fingers… times of autumn rest, when you need to set aside the pen or keyboard and just let life happen…the dreaded but unavoidable frozen wastelands of winter dormancy, when it seems your stories are encased in unyielding ice… and joyous spring creativity, where stories blossom everywhere you turn. And we all can know and be comforted that, as happens with the earth, each season serves a purpose. And each season will last as long as God deems necessary. No matter what season you’re in right now, know this:
God is present, at work in your and your words. Don’t fret. Don’t grasp or fear. Rest in Him. Savor whatever season you’re in. And Spring comes to you, when the flowers poke through and the blossoms burst forth, let yourself do what I’m doing today:
REJOICE.
The winter is past. Spring is finally here. Rebirth has come again.
Hallelujah!
I’ll have to play make-believe on that one, Karen. I’m still looking at two feet of snow on the ground, though we are supposed to rise above freezing today. I know what you mean, though. Writing is a bit like relationships. The initial high doesn’t last long. Then the work begins. I know that it will be worth the effort, just as I’ve been rewarded in my marriage. Some days, though, you wonder if woodworking might be a more practical hobby (my tools have sat unused for several years now). Spring will come again, though, like you said. To be honest, I’m feeling pretty good now. Spent a while in the dark winter, but once you start seeing glimmers of hope, or even progress, you know it’s only a matter of time before your hard work will return to you. Thanks for another great bit of inspiration.
Whoo hoo, girl you preach the joys of rebirth! I cannot say any more than I am rejoicing in the beauty of God’s creation today as well. It has indeed been a long winter. Thank you for sharing your joy with us today. It’s infectious 🙂
Ron, I’m sorry about your continual battle with the snow. But above freezing, that’s something positive.
On a random note, my oldest was learning about germination and the entire family watched a sped up clip of the cycle. Whoa. What a powerful reminder and testimony of God’s handy work. There are so many wonderful analogies there, and my husband and I had a great time discussing them with our kids.
Karen, thank you for the beautiful pictures!
Not to worry, J.D. I planted my onion seeds indoors the other day (they need a VERY early start), so that gives me a glimmer of hope!
Ron, yeah! Cling to that hope and don’t let go. As in writing 😉 Onion seeds… good idea, thank you!
I’m looking forward to a warmer season myself. I’ve been in the autumn, doing different, wonderful things, but always remembering the spring and summer. Praying for the thaw. I write a little every day in addition to editing, but there’s nothing compared to the profusion of color and beauty in the spring. Ready for that.
Thank you for these inspirational words Karen.
Even though the California sunshine is beckoning green and growing things, internally I’ve been experiencing a cold draft.
Funny thing for us here near the coast in East Texas-we usually get to go outside and enjoy ourselves more so in the winter than summer. When it hits triple digits with humidity close to 100%, all we want to do is stay inside with the AC. It was pretty cold here this winter, though. It does feel like spring this week. Been on the golf course and softball fields all week long. It does make me feel better being out in the sun. For me, though, it distracts from writing. I want to go outside and play!
Thanks Karen. Your words are inspiring. Bless you!
Karen, thanks for conveying a beautiful truth with such power. I think the first buds of spring never fail to grip our hearts because they’re such a great reminder of God’s redemption. I was studying Psalm 130 recently and focusing on the full redemption God promises. Even though the watchmen wait at night for the morning and can’t see anything but darkness, time is passing and morning is drawing near. I think it’s like that with redemption–or spring–we don’t always see the movement of it until it pops out at us and we’re face to face with God’s handiwork!
Hi, I am in Arkansas. We are still winter here, but yesterday I noticed buds on a maple. I like your blog and all the info on the right. Thank you for that. I’ve written two poetry books (Blind Curves; Lights and Shadows in a Nursing Home – this was out last October.) Now to learn about marketing from some joyful people. Looks like I’ve found them on FB!!! Hooray! And I cannot wait to see a tulip or crocus pop up. We are in the Ozarks and we’ve had 5 snows. Beautiful, but now, I’m ready for daffodils.