I can smell lilacs in the air while I’m driving, apple blossoms as I cruise the orchards…and I not-so-patiently await the bloom of the five bushes surrounding my home. Apparently every bud in the county has opted to reveal itself except for mine.

It feels a lot like life sometimes. For myself, I go through seasons of dormancy, winters that vary in length, this past by far feeling like the longest of my life. I’ve been an encourager for many years, and I’m seeing so many around me I’ve invested in begin to see dreams and accomplishments come to fruition. And I of course am pleased and ever so grateful for their success and fulfillment. But then I feel selfish.

What about me?

I’ve been doing the work. I’ve invested the time into my career, relationships, and yes, faith, and I feel like my spring hasn’t sprung…and it may be a minute…years…before I bloom again. It’s daunting. It’s discouraging. When you feel like you’ve already spent every ounce of yourself and have nothing left, a distant spring may as well be no spring at all. It seems it’s the hope that kills you.

But Spring always comes.

Yeah, I’ve been doing the work. But in reality, HE does the work. HIS timing. HIS glory. OUR good. He’s promised that He’s started a good work in us, and that He’s a zillion percent faithful to complete it.

So…seem like everyone else is blooming except you? The seasons of others have zero bearing on where you are in yours, and it shouldn’t. If Our Father is still crafting and grafting Himself into our future and purpose, it’s for our good. We can trust it, ask for patience, and have assurance in the things for which we hope.

Spring is coming. YOUR spring is coming. Get excited…can you feel it? You’re about to pop! <3