The March calendar announces that spring will be here within a few weeks, but only time will reveal if there is evidence that shows up on the date on the calendar. Winter tends to not let go of her control easily during this month.
Even if we see the sun more often and hear birdsong early in the morning as the month marches forward, most days will be overcast. There will be rain and snow will be no stranger, sometimes giving us a display we missed for Christmas.
Recent storms leave lawns littered with branches and limbs pruned by the windy gusts. Those same gusts resurrect leftover fall leaves from wherever they were hidden and swirl them around garage doors and patios.
The best homes in the neighborhood look strained from the wintry months. Paint looks dingier and windows no longer gleam as they wear the grime left from winter’s weather combos. Shrubbery is broken down in places snow rested too heavily or too long. Grass still hides its greenery under the dun color evident now.
Winter also reveals the weakness of a house and the land it sets on. No one notices the roof’s leaky shingles or the clogged downspouts in the month of June. Parts of the foundation are now visible that are hidden when the grass is lush and green and an array of flowers appears in the landscape.
Winter tries and tests the condition of a house and property. Winter’s wear and tear 
exposes the truth in March. Only heavy snow (if it comes) can hide the weaknesses winter’s months make known.
I think our lives are sometimes a bit like March when the beauty of Christmas has passed, but the hope of spring has not yet come.
It is in a wintry hard season that we are tested and our vulnerabilities are uncovered. Whatever the season brings us, reminds us we are mortal. The season brings to light our mettle.
It is in winter we learn or rediscover the strength of our beliefs, our relationships, our stewardship, and our character. A wintry hard season strips us of the façade we may think of as real and that others believe is the truth of who we are. This season shuts up our quick solutions and easy answers because they point to how empty they can be.
Such a season prunes us of the things that are unnecessary and reminds us of what is vital. Such a season awakens an appetite for only what truly nourishes our souls and only words that speak life.
It is now we find out the source and depth of our faith and those on whom we can count. It is now we see clearly even though the gray murky weather would suggest otherwise.
Wintry seasons gift us with understanding that sustains us for the unexpected storms of 
spring and summer. Wintry seasons shore up our priorities and point us to what is crucial that carefree summer days never do. Wintry seasons unveil what the showy displays of summer and autumn conceal in their vibrant colors.
Wintry seasons can also quiet our souls so we can hear the whispers of the Lord more easily. No sunshine entices us outdoors so we may linger in prayer or the Word a bit longer. We can bask in the warmth of the Lord’s presence and rekindle intimacy with Him.
We think of summer as the growing season, but the truth is that it is in the winter that we grow.
Hard wintry seasons weather us, develop endurance, and cause the roots of our faith to burrow wider and deeper into the truth it brings to light.
Sometime soon crocuses will peek above the cold wintry soil and daylight will linger into the evening, but for now I will enjoy the gifts late winter have deposited in my life.
3 But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. 4 And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. 5 And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!”
Romans 5: 3-5 (TPT)
We definitely grow in resilience during harsh seasons! And God never leaves us out in the cold! No matter the coldness of our environment, He is the warmth within us. And that last photo…so gorgeous!!
Agreed and amen! Love this: “He is the warmth within us.” I loved that photo as well and wish I had taken it!!💕
For me, March brings hope. It makes me happy.
Thank you, Pam! I love these powerful insights into the value of winter. It seems we were thinking along the same lines this week. When I feel weary of winter, it helps to remind myself of the value and beauty of it, as I share in my post. Love and blessings to you!
Thanks, Trudy! Isn’t it fun when the Lord seems to be leading multiple ones of us on a similar trek. It causes me to feel that He is wanting many more of us to attend to something He has caused us to write about. Have a blessed day!💕
Beautiful words and lovely photos. Yes in the darkness of winter our souls remember spring and wait.
Thank you, Carol!💕
What a powerful and poignant post, Pam. We don’t get much winter here in North Texas. In fact we had our coldest nights of the season the past couple of days. I love the points that you make about the winter seasons in our lives. Lord knows that is when much of my growth has taken place. I hope to blossom this Spring and Summer to glorify Him. have a fantastic week and God bless.
Thank you so much, Horace. I always enjoy hearing from you. (It was 7 here in OH when I awakened today!)
I look forward to hearing about the blossoming!
Have a great week in Him!
Pam😊
I love your thoughts on Winter. Some fresh perspective for me. Right now it is 22 degrees where I am here in Texas, which is one of the coldest early Marches we’ve had, so I needed this right now. Your pictures are beautiful. (I found you through Grandma’s Briefs Grand Social, and I’m glad I did!)
Thank you! That sounds very cold for Texas. Here in Ohio it was 7 when I awakened.
So glad you enjoyed the pictures. I try to select (or take) ones that fit. The one at the top is one I took a year ago in March on a day that was not quite as cold.😊
It’s definitely still winter here, even in Alabama. I’m ready for spring. Winter has revealed more of my weaknesses that I don’t like to see. Yet only in the awareness are we more apt to welcome change. Thanks for this encouragement today, Pam!
I heard there were some powerful storms in Alabama as recently as last night. It appears winter will be reluctant to let go as week by week the storm patterns race across the country.
I hear you about what winter reveals, but the Lord has shown me it was intent to reveal it for my good and His glory.
Have a blessed week! Stay warm😊
I love the hopeful way you ended this post, Pam. “We think of summer as the growing season, but the truth is that it is in the winter that we grow.” This was beautiful! Winter does pare us down and allows our bare bones to show. The good thing is that winter pruning makes it easier to grow in the Light!
Thank you, Laurie! I love what thoughts and insight you have added to this! Excellent point!❤️
It is the hard things in life that allow us to grow closer to the Lord, to develop faith and courage. Blessings! I am visiting from LMML
Exactly right, Carol! We don’t prefer them and would opt out if we could, but in this life we will have trouble and God uses it for our good and His glory when it comes to us. Thanks for stopping by.💕
It seems this topic of spring coming and winter hanging on is a popular one around the blogosphere, Pam. But I especially appreciate how you’ve pointed out these seasons of darkness and waiting can be used for longer times in God’s word and resting in His warmth while the cold winds continue to blow. That’s what I’m doing today! I love my time with God. It’s the best part of my day! Thank you for this beautifully written challenge to see the good in every season of our lives, my friend! I’ll be tweeting!
I confess I have not noticed that trend until you mentioned it. When I was younger, these were the months I never liked. Now I savor them for that very reason. Thanks for your responsive sharing and for tweeting, Beth!❤️