As I sit here, I have the window open and am enjoying some
of the warmer weather we’ve had this week.
Here in Knoxville, we have all gotten a little taste of spring this
week. I was so thankful for the
opportunity to bust out the flip flops even if just for a couple of days! However, just for an example, if I hadn’t had
to wear real shoes during the cold winter, I wouldn’t have a new appreciation for
the flip flops today. It would be
something that I take for granted and never really was thankful for. Today I am thankful for spring – warm weather,
green trees, and flowers – as it begins to emerge from the cold of winter. However, I would never say thanks for it if I
hadn’t just gone through the cold and dreary winter months!

So what? Today I am
so thankful for the good times. Thankful
for the times when I look around and see answers to my prayers and dreams, when
the joy comes easy. I began to think about
this when someone recently asked me how my job was going and I could honestly
say I was enjoying it and was content with where God has me. I remember sitting at my desk last year
feeling miserable and like I could never get out of this joyless season; I didn’t
even know how to. I know I appreciate God’s
gifts and his joy in my life so much more because as I think back on this time
last year, I was so dry and weary, joy was a battle and I was searching for the
evidence of God in my life. In the
winter when you stare at the branches of bare trees it is so exciting to see a
bud of green sprouting out. When you
have been cold for months, you are grateful for the rays of sunshine that
finally warm you.

Jesus, thank you for
the spiritual winters because it makes the spring so much sweeter!