Oh, March! I hear your roar. I see how you cling to winter like a long lost friend. But hope is coming. I see it in the buds ready to burst open in joy. The dull green landscape is brightening and the winter browns are turning golden.
As you make your exit, your last hurrah becomes a faint memory. I open my arms to the new life of spring and the beginnings it brings. Glimpses of sunshine, blue skies and the chirp of birds brings hope that winter is finally ready to say goodbye.
March is a land between the gray of winter and the hope of spring. This year it is dragging its feet in one last act of defiance. But my heart leans into what will be and it comes with hope and joy.
March is teaching me perseverance and what the promise of tomorrow looks like. I am learning…
How to savor all days even when there is no sunshine. God is still present and when I open my eyes each morning, I make a choice to say “thank you” as my first act of worship.
To take time to do something good for myself daily. My friend, Beverly, reminded me of the importance of this in her post, What are you Going to do Good for Yourself Today?
That “when I hold onto the wrong things, the wrong things hold onto me”. John Freeman (Emily P. Freeman’s husband)
I am loving …
Priscilla Shirer’s book, God is Able. She digs into Ephesians 3:20-21 phrase by phrase. This book is hitting me in all the right places.
The song, Holy Ground, by Jeremy Riddle. It might play on repeat at home, in the car, and when I am walking!!!
Writing! Yes, I am not sure about the rest of your writers out there but I am in a season of a deep passion for writing. God takes my every word and sifts them through His fingers as He refines them for you. Not sure how else to explain it but writing provides joy, healing, encouragement and life lessons all wrapped in one package.
Click on the following to read some of my favorite posts this month.
Sabbath Offerings ~ Paul and Timothy
No One Will Ever Love Your Dream the Way You Do (My offering at God-Sized Dreams this month.)
Did You Turn the Porch Light On? (My offering at Daughters of the Deep this month)
I am living …
Through a season of daily surrender. Whew! It is hard work. God is digging deep and I question why it takes me so long to learn how to release everything to Him. The quote above from John Freeman is a good way to start my day. I name what is wrong(holding me back) and ask God to replace this stinking thinking with His truth.
The walk to the cross. I see the shadow of the cross ahead and walk with purpose to sit in the presence of Jesus. As I match my steps with His, I see the weight He carries and understand the sacrifice a little better. The resurrection three days later beckons me to walk in the promises that rose when Jesus Himself became a new creation. The resurrected Jesus is the promise of new life for all who believe. Follow me on Instagram for daily Holy Week reflections.
Knowing that when March ends and April begins, I walk in the hope and promise of our resurrected Savior. New life blooms from the remnants of winter and blossoms into the beauty of spring.
[Tweet “Join me as I share what I am learning, loving, and living this March. “]
As March ends, I want you to know I am thankful for each you. The blessings you leave in the comments bring such encouragement to all.
I am walking through this week and next with intentionality. A slowing down and time to breathe deeply of the love of God. I will see you all again in a week or so. As I mentioned above I am posting daily reflections on Instagram this week. I also share words every Sunday at @daughterofdelight on Instagram. You will find my Easter reflection there this Sunday. You will find daily delight and encouragement by following @daughterofdelight on Instagram.
Let’s walk to the cross together this week knowing that the promise and victory of Jesus has already been won.
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Mary I love your photos. Gorgeous! WInter is hanging on here and teaching me patience as well. Whew it is.so.hard. Praying your April is filled with rich blessings from the Lord. xoxo
Thank you, Meghan! Same to you!
It is still cold too in my neck of the woods, but at least things are turning colorful again! There’s always hope for spring to get here soon. 🙂
Living through a season of daily surrender is no easy task. We all need more perseverance for this heart work. Thanks for sharing that with us, Mary.
Wow, Mary. What a beautiful post. Can I just say, this right here, stopped me:
“The resurrection three days later beckons me to walk in the promises that rose when Jesus Himself became a new creation.”
I never thought bout Jesus becoming a new creation. I love that. And your reminder that we can—and should—walk in God’s promises.
And John Freeman’s quotes. YOu’ve given me much to meditate on as we draw near to Easter.
I enjoy these monthly posts. 🙂
Have a beautiful Easter weekend, my friend!
Thank you, Jeanne! Jesus is the new creation and He is the Good News. It is something I need to sit with more to understand what it all means. I’m not sure if you listen to Emily Freeman’s podcast, “The Next Right Thing” but she used that quote from her husband as part of one of her podcasts. It’s one of my favorite podcasts right now.
I enjoy writing these monthly musings. It gives you a peek into getting to know me a bit better. Happy Easter to you and your family!
You have been a writing maven. Good stuff. Look right under your signature above and fix inking to linking. You’re welcome!
Yes I have! It has been so much fun! I kind of like the mistake. My only excuse is that I was sick on Monday when I was putting the finishing touches on this post! 😉
I’m not sure if you meant to say ‘find me inking’ or ‘find me linking’ ;). But I kind of like the idea of you inking! Good for you for all of the guest posting you’ve been doing! That’s awesome!
Thanks for catching that mistake! I kind of like it as it is!!! I love sharing words and am blessed to write at several different places. Have a wonderful Easter!
It’s wonderful that you are in a “season of deep passion for writing,” Mary. I pray that you would continue to experience joy and healing as you write from that place of abundance! Here’s to spring, and a very Happy Easter to you!
Thank you for this sweet encouragement. I love writing but even more so I love the community that gathers here. It is a gift. I pray you receive joy as we remember the victory has been won. Easter blessings!
Mary your writing just gets better and better. I love sitting here and reading each word. I’m loving all the things blooming and even the pouring rain today, and the five little blue bird eggs out in our little bird house. This weekend I get to make a trip down to South Texas and hoping the blue bonnets have bloomed.
Thank you for encouraging and affirming me in my path of writing. It is a blessing from God for sure. I pray your trip is one of joy and much beauty. Happy Easter!
Mary,
So glad to hear you are asking yourself what good thing you are going to do for YOU today?! It’s a godly question, not a selfish one. Like you, I am anticipating Spring finally getting here. The buds on the trees seem as confused as we are lol. Is it time yet? they ask?? Hope you have a blessed and joyous Easter my sweet friend!
Blessings and ((hugs)),
Bev xx
Thank you for reminding me how important it is to take care of me. We finally are getting warmer temperatures but with it lots of gray skies and rain. I am a sunshine kind of girl. I can’t wait for warmer days and continual sunshine. Happy Easter blessings!
This is absolutely beautiful. Waiting for Spring and the new and promises it brings.
Thank you, Barbie! I love seeing you here and as part of this community. You have always encouraged me so well. I am sending you Easter blessings and hugs!
As snow still falls on this ‘spring’ day, I know what you mean by ‘dragging it’s feet’! Thank you for all your reflections on how going deeper into surrender has challenged and grown you thus far this new year. The seasons can sure surprise us with the unexpected, and I can find God does that too, yet always wrapped in the security of His promises. Have a wonderful Easter. Love your Instagram posts!
I don’t envy you that you are still getting snow. But I hope it is shouting its last hurrah as I type this. I am finding when God gives you a word for the year, He is going to do everything in His power to make sure you learn many lessons from it. Thank you for reading on Instagram too. Praying many Easter blessings for you and your family!
I am longing for spring also! I always love your photos that you post because my brother and his family live in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, so it feels like I am getting a window into their world too! What joy to be reading your words with @daughterofdelight! I am so glad that God is stirring in your heart, and you are being faithful to share what He gives you. Have a Blessed Easter!
I am not too far from Dayton. If you ever come to visit your brother, I would love to meet you.
Thank you for all of your sweet encouragement. God is so good and faithful and He brings just the right people to my little home here. I am blessed that you are one of them. I pray you have a joyous Easter!
So much THIS:”God takes my every word and sifts them through His fingers as He refines them for you.” Indeed! I can’t seem to write enough these days.
God is using you mightily, my friend! I can feel it in your words. I am praying you find healing and strength in the words you share. Love you, friend!
Hello Mary. I know it has been a long, long while since I have stopped and and left a comment, but I did enjoy reading your “musings.” It was lovely to just read your words again. Much love to you, Beth
What a treat to see you writing and out and about reading. Writing is such a wonderful way to heal and encourage. I pray your new beginning does exactly that for you.
Roar, indeed! I sincerely hoping that the weather makes a change as the month does. I thought I was seeing a few more posts from you, Mary! I get around to reading them eventually. I’ve been enjoying your insights, friend! Blessings on your Holy Week!
I am hoping and praying for the weather to change for the better. Thank you for reading so faithfully and encouraging me so well. Easter blessings!
I open my arms to the new life of spring with you, Mary! 🙂 Last night a flock of robins came to our neighborhood. Just looking out our kitchen window, it looked like at least 3 dozen between our yard and our neighbor’s. I don’t know how many more there were that I couldn’t see. 🙂 This morning we had quite a chorus. We hope at least some of them will stick around here! Spring certainly is coming. Hooray!!! I’m so glad writing is giving you joy. I thank God for you and these posts. 🙂 Have a joy-filled Easter! Love and hugs to you!
It is a sure sign of spring when the birds start singing in the mornings. I imagine you love seeing these signs of spring. We will all rejoice when spring decides to stick around. I love writing for this beautiful community. It is a blessing to have such sweet people like you around encouraging me in my journey. Easter blessings!
Loved this, such encouragement and the quotes you shared, beautiful!
Thank you, Jennie! What a treat to pause and remember all the good from the month.
I’m so glad you’ve started doing these monthly recap posts. It’s good to get an overview of all that’s been going on with you.
It’s been fun to write these posts at the end of each month. I love reading yours and other people who write these too. It gives a glimpse into a different side of the writer.
I enjoyed your reflections, Mary, and I love the John Freeman quote. Hope you have a lovely Easter!
Thank you, Lesley! It’s fun to look back over the month to remember what spoke to me. I love the John Freeman quote too.