(This post was written a year ago as our family prepared for my husband’s retirement and our final move out of state.)
Winters in South Georgia are not exactly harsh. In fact, it doesn’t even feel as though we’ve experienced the winter season at all. The only evidences that winter is over and spring is arriving are the blooms of the azaleas and the new leaves budding on the trees that line our back yard. 
But these small signs remind me that the Lord has been working behind the scenes to prepare the soil and landscape for new life.
Although Georgia winters don’t feel heavy or harsh, I have recently come out of a winter of my soul. Maybe you can relate in some way. With the busyness that mothering three children brings, I haven’t had much time to tend to my own longings or desires.
My husband was away on business much of this past winter season, and I was left to tend to the chaos of everyday life with three children: carpooling to three different schools, laundry, preparing meals, cleaning, and keeping everyone relatively happy and content. Some mornings, all I could do was drag myself out of bed, and many nights I found myself exhausted after a long day, falling asleep on the living room sofa before 9:00 pm.
As my husband’s work schedule has slowed down to a more normal pace, I am learning to make more time for myself. I have been waking early, in the quiet before the chaos, and spending time with my Heavenly Father, reading His Word and waiting patiently for what He wants to speak over me for the day.
As winter comes to a close, I am anticipating my favorite season. I love the freshness that spring brings. Skies seem bluer, birds are chirping, and the warm spring wind brings refreshment at the end of a long day.
This year for our family, spring also means moving to another state and starting a new adventure. This brings such excitement but also fear and trepidation. What if we don’t love our new city? What if forming friendships proves difficult?
And then I am reminded of God’s truth; His faithfulness. His Word tells us this:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Are you looking toward a new season in your life or in the lives of your family? Is spring something you are anticipating with gratitude or fear?
I want to encourage you today, friend, to seek the Lord. Open His Word and read His love letter to you. Go outside and take in the breathtaking beauty of spring, created for you by our Creator. The Lord is with you no matter where you go or what you may go through and He will be faithful to walk into this new season alongside you.