Never was Spring more welcomed than this past March.
Longer lit days, the promise that when one season closes, another will open.
I wonder if we’ll notice more this spring as we work, play, and do school from home. If the necessary pause in our society will heighten our awareness to God’s goodness in ways we all experience — salvation, biblical community, a baby’s birth, nature — as well as the way He personally ministers to us through His Word, prayer, and even our God-given senses.
My hope is that we don’t see the following only as a list to check off or something to look for, but also, opportunities to praise our Maker.
This is one way we slow our soul down to a holy pace.
What We See:
- Leaves unfolding from a long winter’s nap.
- Daffodils and other memory-making flowers. (It’s hard to pass a patch of these tiny trumpets without thinking of my grandmother. She loved old-timey varieties that held a touch of sweetness.)
- Song Birds gathering twigs, mud, and feathers for their nests.
- Kites catching spring winds and riding them across the sky.
What We Hear:
- Bird songs, especially early in the morning before their day begins. “In the trees nearby, the birds make their nests and sing.” Psalm 104:12 GNT
- Lawnmowers (and if you have four acres, you’ll hear it for hours).
- A personal concert created by wind chimes stirring to rhythmic winds.
- Collisions of unstable air, moisture, and lifting in the atmosphere, producing spring storms that hold the power to jolt us from our bed. And on those days you might enjoy “Engaging Your Five Senses on a Rainy Day.”
What We Smell:
- The sharp, distinct scent of a freshly mowed lawn.
- A musky mingling of soil and air when the shovel turns its first scoop onto the ground. It’s the fragrance of spring!
- The savory fragrance of meat on a grill.
- A clean home, but not perfectly so. A comfortable home creates a sweet fragrance that lingers long after any cleaning product is gone.
- Spring flowers, heavy with the scent of victory, for they survived the winter.
What We Touch:
- Tufts of green moss carpeting the woods nearby.
- Sandals instead of boots. Light sweaters, not heavy. Bye, bye bulky.
- Spring breezes that scoot through open windows.
- Pool water, because we want to believe it’s warm enough for a swim.
- Feathery fern fronds, lacy Japanese Maples, bristly pine needles, and smoothly textured leaves.
What We Taste:
- What have we not tasted during this quarantine? Sweet mercy!
- Strawberries (Subscribers, watch your inbox today for a simple, old-timey Strawberry Pound Cake recipe from my namesake, Catherine Edwards. Did I mention there’s icing involved?)
- Fresh produce. Now’s a great time to support our local farmers.
- Is it safe to say we could be tasting a bit of loneliness? Being apart from those we love, our church gatherings, and perhaps even from the loss of normalcy. It’s okay, you’re not alone. But distance doesn’t have to distance us where it matters.
- God’s goodness. Every moment, every day. Memorizing a Scripture verse is one of the most powerful ways to engage our season, both in spring and life. Click here to download spring-inspired verses.
“This is what the LORD says⏤he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, the poplar trees by flowing streams.” (Isaiah 44:1-4)
So tell me, what’s your favorite part of spring?
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll decide to stay awhile. If you’d like to become a part of the community, simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a newsletter chock-full of the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with ideas on ways we can draw near to God and love others well.
So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
My favorite thing about spring is the longer days and fresher smells. It’s as if they invite me to come alive from winter’s snooze. 🙂
Yes! I couldn’t agree more, Sandra. I’m thankful the pandemic didn’t happen in winter. Blessings!!!
I love strawberries, and I love to hear the birds start singing again, as well as the woodpeckers pecking. Sandals! I can’t wait!!!
We have 4.5 acres, I feel your pain!
I love the smell after a thunderstorm, too.
Great post! You got me excited for Spring.
Thanks, Stephanie! I forgot about the woodpeckers! I hope our local strawberries are still available after the storm we had on Sunday. I’m so happy you stopped by. 🙂
Such an inviting post Ms. Cathy. It makes us want to stop and savor all that God does to remind us of His presence in this world. He made all of nature to engage each of our senses. The texture of the life-giving hay as we turnover a windrow to check its moisture. The feel of the loosened soil that seems to cushion our steps across the field. The smell of freshly mowed grass or the turned soil, releasing its soft fragrance that calls our souls to rest. The sight of newborn calves standing for the first time; then a week later high-tailing circles around the herd, full of energy. On a star-filled night, with no lights beyond what God made, we listen to the frogs, crickets, skunks, and other animals as they begin to forage. We hear the call of the coyote to its mate. All of nature calls out God’s glory sweet friend. Thank you for a wonderful respite in the midst of another busy day.
How beautiful, J.D.! Yes and amen to it all. Blessings, friend. 🙂
All your suggestions were provocative, arousing my senses. I love this. I did something similar in a blog post for writers.
(If you don’t allow links, please just remove my comment.) https://thewritersinresidence.com/2018/08/01/never-a-senseless-moment-writing-the-big-five/
Thanks for calling our attention to so many beautiful things in Spring. Will you also do Summer, Fall, and Winter?
Hi Jackie! I look forward to visiting your post. 🙂 Thanks for the heads up…and yes, Lord willing, I plan to do all the seasons and more. Blessings!
Love this and all the ideas to enjoy what is all around us. As an early riser I’m tuned in to birds chirping in otherwise quiet- no lawnmowers, trucks or even music. What I love about Spring? Bursts of color! Thanks Cathy for tuning us in to what’s around us.
I’m also an early riser, Marilyn. I need to learn the different birds and their particular songs. One is so loud and distinct that it actually wakes me up in the morning. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to share, my friend.
What haven’t we tasted?!! That made me laugh. It’s so true. I am loving the spring because I can get outside. We’ve been working hard to get our garden planted. Early sprouts are up – radishes, mesclun, kale, wax beans. And the weeds. OH the weeds. They are winning! But I love getting out there in the sunshine, hearing the bees, watering my efforts. We have a nesting pair of flycatchers, so we are eagerly awaiting babies. Maybe next week. Ok. I am eager. My husband is focused more on the mess they will make (right on our cars). I think they will eat more flies and insects and be a help in that way. (She says that now…). The hawks are nesting and the neighbors have 4 baby goats! I can’t help but giggle and laugh at their antics. Enjoy spring in your area!
Spring is definitely bustling at your place, Angie! Love it! I grew up gardening with my dad and step-mom. We grew okra, corn, potatoes, asparagus, etc. I miss it. I do hope to get a cutting garden started this year. We’re still recovering from the tiny house build. Ha!!! Enjoy your sunshine — it’s quite the blessing. 🙂 So are you.
After a super hard day, this was balm!!
I’m sorry you had such a hard day. 🙁 Praying, Tammy.
I am reading your prompts while sitting in my barn after the sun gave way to night. A storm is approaching. Winds rush against the barn doors producing creaks like cries for mercy. The air is crisp and carries the scent of moisture. Aside from the sounds of creation, life is quiet and I know God is who He says He is. Perhaps best of all, my fur-boy is curled in the curve of my knees while I read your words, which inspire experiencing all that God provides. What a sweet way to close this day.
I read this last night, Charla, and tried to respond by saying that your words were a sweet way to close my day. But WordPress wouldn’t let me. Ha! Still, such beautiful words. I was right there with you (I wish!) Thank you for taking the time to share. ((( HUGS )))