The austerity of the winter is a fading memory. Gone are the days of bare trees and the absence of tiny creatures from wood and field. Light has come and consumed the early darkness. Gloomy rain that repeatedly drenched the earth and, us too, has gone, with sunshine and warmth in its place.
Before spring arrived I searched for signs of growth, for possibilities, but found none. Then, almost imperceptibly, the ground began to twitch and a tiny shoot, tentative yet tenacious, broke through the solid earth, unfurling itself in a delicate white bell.
The advent of the snowdrop heralds a poignant announcement: winter is starting to pass. These small flowers, close to the ground, are a quiet beginning that speaks hope: the winter will retreat. Primrose and crocus follow, taking us forward with the promise of more to come. Yet none stay for long. Like the prelude to a grand symphony, their part is quickly played.
God’s word spoken through His creation reminds me of the hope He brings in times of bleakness. He knows me and understands that hope can dissipate in the bleak, seemingly fruitless, seasons of my life. He also knows that small signs of life give me courage.
Momentum quickens. Spring days are longer and warmer. The monochrome of winter is transformed by a world awash with colour and growth. Generous abundance, lavish with extravagance has replaced restraint. Why? Perhaps for no other reason than God’s utter delight and blessing to us.
Of course, there is more to it than that. Spring is practically fertile, rhythmed with methodical and tender growth that is essential to our lives. But spring’s gift of life seems like a blessing that God shares with delight. He is not miserly. He does not conserve His resources as we might. No, He gives with joyful abandonment.
Through nature, God reinforces a principle that I want to practice. When doubt and fear overshadow me, I do not want to clutch God’s gifts tightly to my breast. Following His example, I want to give away all that He has entrusted to me, knowing that He will continue to fill me anew.
There is an elegance in spring. However, that beauty and newness did not come from nowhere. It is the consequence of a season of dormancy. Although outwardly, all appeared dead, hidden from our eyes in the darkness beneath our feet, roots have been pushing their way deeper into the earth. Winter is essential; I know that. But sometimes I forget and, bemoaning my dark wintery days, neglect the truth that God is deepening the roots of my life in Him.
© copyright Gillian Newham 2025
Nomadic Pages 
Hi Mark and Gill, Thanks for your thoughtful Nomadic Pages. We do trust that the way is becoming clear as you observe and consider all that surrounds you. I’ve heard that processing described as being like in the book of Ruth, where she has to glean the grain, then beat it out and clean it before it can be dried and ground to become flour so it can be kneaded and baked, and thus feed ourselves and others. Sometimes, it does feel as if I’m somewhere in that process, but in the struggle of it, am encouraged that it will all result in nourishing food, for others, too. This months blog brought to mind a prophecy, given many years ago in Epsom, so I will try to give you the sense of it, in case it adds to your understanding. Somehow, God’s word stands the test of time and when it is brought back to mind, has extra nuances that we/I didn’t see initially. ….. these days seem very unmomentous, as if nothing in particular is going on and nothing in particular is being accomplished….. but I tell you that it is in these seemingly quiet days, that foundations are being laid in your life that will have important consequences for your going forward in the future in My purposes…. so I counsel you to keep walking closely with Me and let Me lead you, at My pace, in My ways … and when My time comes you will delight to find yourself ready and prepared for what I bring to you….
We’re doing generally OK, and, although Peter’s health continues not good and erratic, we are assured that the Lord is with us in it all. Family-wise it has been a good move to Bedford and we see so clearly how wonderfully the Lord has been in the timing, and church wise, it remains challenging as where we find our selves, their ways are quite different from our many years in fellowships, that often we don’t feel that we fit, but they do seem to like us – and the hearts of the leadership are very much to see the Lord have His way. So we do send you our love, Bev and Peter Jones
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