Winter in the Deep South is usually snow-less.  We are often wearing shorts at Thanksgiving dinner and dreaming of a Cold Christmas, since we know odds are against a White Christmas.  This year, it was uncharacteristically warm, even for the Gulf Coast.  The warm winter merged into an early spring and here we are, suddenly at the beginning of April and the beginning of Easter week.

New beginnings.  They sneak up on us sometimes.  Other times we crave them, tired of slogging through sameness, dreariness.  When fall, winter and spring are a muddle, it can be…well…tedious.  Our Crepe Myrtles were confused too:  they put out a very small crop of flowers before budding any leaves and that was that.  We have leaves now but so far no more flowers.  Yes, sometimes it can be hard to differentiate between seasons.  Somehow I like it much more when fall is a little crisp, winter is chillingly cold and spring is slightly warm but refreshing, because one thing we can always count on here: summer is hot, heavy, and humid 24 hours a day.  I love the warmth of summer, but I think God made us to need some change.  It allows us to get the closure we need and move on to the next project, or challenge, or opportunity.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing… (Ecc 3:1-5).

I really missed winter this year.  I feel the need for a bit more closure before I can move right on to another Southern summer.  And when we move into next fall, we will be leaving the South and heading West.  I will miss the architecture, the “hey y’all!”, the warmth of the people, and the lush green in summer – everywhere…I may even miss the kudzu!  But times change, seasons change, and for military families, places change.  In the midst of all this change, I am looking back on the past year here at Girls Growing with God and feeling so blessed that the Lord has given me the time and opportunity to reflect on my relationship with Him and to write about it.  I am in prayer wondering, how would You like ME to change this next season, Lord?

I know it’s time.  I will be doing a bit of Spring Cleaning on the website after this week to get me ready for summer and whatever is “next”.  After finishing Embracing Your Strengths: Who Am I in God’s Eyes (and What Am I Supposed to Do About It?) on Wednesday, I am not diving into a new study right away.  I am hoping to begin a new, short one possibly at the beginning of June.  For now, I have some outside writing projects that I need to devote some attention to and so, between now and June, I may check in on a more sporadic basis.  Also, I need to do some maintenance on the website that may turn out to be extensive, so please pray for me!  I am also praying but about the best format to continue with from here on forward.  I will keep my commitment to the Book Club schedule and will continue to grow the other content as I am able.

So I find myself slightly weary today.  Needing to refresh my own spirit with a little spring cleaning, maybe some pruning.  But the Lord is faithful and makes us such wonderful promises…And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Gal 6:9).  Tell me, what season are you in now?  Are you still dormant, or growing, or blooming or producing fruit?  Are you ready for spring or still stuck in winter?  How about your heart, are you in need of sowing, watering or pruning spiritually?  Please comment – I would love to hear from someone 🙂 And as far as this website, please let me know what you would like to see in the future.  Blessings!

justAgirl…just like you!