Happy Spring!!!

Greetings sweet friends!  Are you as happy as I am that Spring (at last) has officially arrived!?  While God truly speaks into every season a beauty all its own, for me personally, that is especially true of Spring.  There is something so powerfully encouraging about seeing new life spring up from places that gave no indication of its presence just a short time ago.  (Could there be a more perfect season for Easter?)  I think Spring mirrors many of us as believers.  In our Winter season, God is quietly, almost imperceptibly at work within us, yet because we feel no difference, or see no change in outward circumstances, we often find ourselves lulled into discouragement and defeat.  Then, very slowly, God begins to reveal in our Spring the beauty He's been cultivating all along.     

In a great post by a friend earlier this week, I was reminded of several of my favorite verses that speak to this very thing.  I especially love this one...

Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.  The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming.  Rise up, my darling!  Come away with me, my fair one!” 
~ Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Maybe you've been walking through an especially long Winter season.  Will you trust that God has been imperceptibly at work within you?  Will you reach out and take His hand today and ask Him to reveal to you a glimpse of your Spring?       

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  ~ 2 Corinthians 4:15-17

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Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  ~ Isaiah 40:30-31

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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

~ Isaiah 43:18-19

He's at work dear friends, in each of us who know Him.  May you find a quiet time and place today to think on that truth.  This song shares it beautifully & powerfully...may it encourage you this day.

Winter Wonderland

For the last few weeks, I've read on a number of blogs about snowfalls all over the country...even in some areas which typically have little (if any). We had managed to get by with just a little here and there (albeit with record cold temps)...until now. We got 4 1/2 inches yesterday, then starting last night several hours of freezing rain, then, this morning several additional inches! Wow. It's positively beautiful.

When the freezing rain started last night, Tom and I decided we were going to use a vacation day and not attempt getting out on the roads this morning. Just moments after waking today, I learned our firm had closed due to the weather. Thank you Lord! I retreated to my favorite chair for my time with the Lord, grateful it would be completely unhurried. Afterwards, I sat down at the computer and almost immediately our power went off. It was only about 6:30 by this time so we decided to go back to bed for a little while. Within a couple of hours, power was restored and we were quite well-rested. Thank you Lord! We bundled up and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful snow and take some photos.

Back inside, I chatted with my Mom & sister on the phone and learned my brother-in-law, David and his employees had been out doing snow removal for more than 36 hours. Needless to say, they were exhausted and she was really concerned. We've been praying for them all throughout the day.

Later, Tom and I decided it was time to go and shovel at least a part of the driveway. Because of the heavy coating of ice in between the snow, it was very heavy. After about 20 minutes, we were already feeling worn out. A cheerful young man came up and said, would you like us to do your driveway? (Seriously!?!) He and two friends gave us their price and it was quite fair. Woo-hoo! We headed back into the warm house saying once again...Thank you Lord!

As I was preparing dinner, I spoke to my sister briefly again. My brother-in-law is still out working. It's going on about 44 straight hours now. If you would, please lift a prayer for David and his guys. Thank you.
Hope you're safe and warm wherever this finds you tonight.

Blessings,
Tracy

fPhoto Friday - God's Spectacular Handiwork

It was the season of Autumn that prompted me to begin carrying my camera everywhere. These are images I captured in and around my hometown, as I ran my weekly errands. God's incredible artistry is breathtaking! Hope you enjoy!
These photos were taken with my Canon Powershot A610 (point & shoot digital).
For more fPhoto Friday posts, visit Natalie at Married to the Preacher.

First Flower!!!

I love Spring. I love watching the process of everything around me slowly coming to life. The sight of tulips, daffodils, crocus and flowering trees is enough to make me downright giddy! This is especially true of the “first flower” each year. I anxiously begin watching around mid-February for the earliest hint of those first stems as they begin to appear. This year, Winter was relentless and continued bringing snow (and lots of it) well into March! You can perhaps imagine my excitement a couple of days ago when my sweet hubby announced the arrival of our first flower, a beautiful white crocus, in the front yard, under our birch tree. After doing a happy little dance (no kidding!) I grabbed my camera and rushed out to capture a photo of this little beauty. Did I mention I LOVE SPRING!?!

Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone.The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come… ~Song of Solomon 2: 11& 12 (NLT)