We all thought spring was coming. This winter in Minnesota had been a walk in the park compared to the record-setting snowfall of the previous year. We hadn’t seen more than a dusting of snow all season—not enough to sled at Christmas or snowshoe or do a lot of our usual cold weather activities. We had skipped our way from January to March without a single blizzard. We had moth-balled our snow boots and mittens. We hadn’t used our shovels since early December. We had just recently retired the snowplow into storage, and had even dared to drag out the summer deck furniture. That’s, of course, when it hit—just over a week ago—the biggest storm of the season, pummeling our driveways, streets, porches and decks with feet of heavy, dense snow. But, in classic Minnesota style, we scrambled to retrieve all the necessary equipment and gear to tackle this unexpected challenge and we shoveled our way out.
Today, as I look at our snow-covered backyard hill, there are signs of rocks emerging in the sun-drenched melt. The air is warm and there is a steady stream of runoff near every icy patch. Little birds flit between the trees. Branches are covered with tiny buds—not yet green but full of promise. The forest is filled with the hopeful smell of spring. It’s surely coming now.
How many times do we find ourselves anticipating spring-like experiences only to encounter an unexpected storm that has us muddled knee-deep in challenges we never thought we’d face? It happens to all of us. And when it does, we can feel completely blind-sided and overwhelmed and unable to shovel our way out.
That’s when we need to remember that God is always with us—in every challenge and every storm. He promises His unwavering presence, His comfort and guidance no matter what we face. We can cry out to Him in our need and rely on Him for strength to carry on. And all the while, we wait for the signs of spring to come. Because we know that He is the God of hope. And our faith rests in that assurance.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 NIV