Dash of Sass: Winter Won’t Last Forever

WinterSometimes winter…either the literal winter or the winter of our souls…feels like it’s going to drag on forever. Stripped as bare of our hope as the trees are of their leaves, we start to question whether we will ever feel truly ALIVE again. But in the quiet, in the stillness, underneath the surface…things are happening. New life and possibility and growth is being stirred. We can’t possibly see it now, but there will come a day in the not too distant future when we throw off the weight of our winter coats and dance free and light and blissful in the warm spring breeze. And it will be beautiful. But if you look a little closer at the process of winter, you will see its beauty, too. It’s a season of shedding. Of letting go of what was to make room for what will be. Of being hidden and covered and protected as everything safe and familiar to us falls to the ground and sets us free to take chances. It is a season of surrender and trust…knowing that what we lose now can’t compete with what’s coming. So hang in there. Know that this winter season won’t last forever. Sunny, joyful, hopeful days will come again. And we won’t be the same when they do. We’ll be better. Freer. Stronger and bolder and less afraid of letting go. That’s what winter does…reminds you how brave you are. Brave enough to wait. Brave enough to trust. Brave enough to embrace the beautiful uncertainty of BECOMING.

33 Responses to “ Dash of Sass: Winter Won’t Last Forever ”

  1. Penny
    February 3, 2015

    Thank you Mandy. I needed that.. I’ve been feeling really hopeless and bleak.. Wondering what is the meaning of life and why do we have to walk through life alone.

    • Veronica V
      February 4, 2015

      Thank you from my sad heart. I needed to read that and it helped a lot. You’re a blessing Mandy

    • Faith
      February 6, 2015

      Loneliness is ONLY a state of mind. Most couples are actually miserable or in denial. Just look at the divorce statistics to see evidence of that. I’d rather walk through life NOT attached to someone than to put myself into a situation like that. Besides, when not attached to someone else, there is MUCH more free time to spend with ALL of our family and friends, as well as live out ALL our dreams and fantasies. The world is a playground, and it’s time to play.

    • Lillian Leest
      February 21, 2015

      Wise anfmd hopeful words to all of us feeling lonely or alone or both..God bless you..greetings from Aruba, Duth Car.

  2. Ty
    February 3, 2015

    Thank you! This message is so on time.

  3. Shannon Hannig
    February 4, 2015

    Thank you so much for this! God has whispered this to my heart and it was wonderful to see this!

  4. Colleen
    February 4, 2015

    Perfect for today as I both release a relationship and sit amidst some 14 inches of snow. Thank you

  5. Veronica
    February 4, 2015

    Thank you! Sitting at work waiting to receive a Severance package & came across this. Helped bring clarity & hope. Thank you so much!! The fear was so dismantling.

  6. Tempestt
    February 4, 2015

    This just made my heart warm!! Such a great message to not only women but to young children and even men seeking happiness.

    Thank You Mandy!

  7. mattie
    February 4, 2015

    great words ,Mandy thank you

  8. Wondering
    February 4, 2015

    Well, I am hoping that the Lord is ;providing this (and other similar “messages” from other sources) to encourage that, in fact, this season may be over soon. Of course one of the contingencies IS in fact the willingness to be shed of whatever it is that needs to be removed in order for that “true”Spring” to blossom. I sure hope I can hold out that long. It feels sometimes like it has been a loooong winter, which I admit some of that is due to my trying to “speed up the weather” on my own (trying to create my own “Spring”)….or feeling like I know what that “Spring” should look like. I just know I too am getting weary at times…but certainly there is ALWAYS hope if we just turn to Jesus. Thank you, Mandy! Terri

    • Faith
      February 6, 2015

      If you can’t be happy and content NOW, you’ll NEVER be happy, no matter WHAT happens in the future, or what may come.

  9. February 4, 2015

    This came along at the perfect time. Thanks so much!

  10. Becky
    February 4, 2015

    Thank you Mandy! I adored and related so much to your book, and have always loved your blog and Facebook posts, but for the first time in a very long time, I’ve been going through a pretty rough patch, and I feel like your words have been sent straight from our loving Father to guide and lift me, and even to open my eyes to things I’d love to be able to wish away. You have been an answer to my prayers these past few weeks, and I can’t thank you enough! Xoxo

  11. steph
    February 4, 2015

    Thank you. I really needed that reminder… especially lately.

  12. Peggy
    February 4, 2015

    Thank you Mandy,I needed that…it’s so difficult right now..I feel so lonely n pray for strength to make it through these though times…

  13. Amber
    February 4, 2015

    I really really really, needed to hear that. I have been feeling like there’s no hope, like I will never be loved again.

  14. Julie
    February 4, 2015

    Thank you Mandy. This is just what I needed to read today. I have been feeling overwhelmed by all that I have taken on since becoming single again,and feeling defeated by watching my ex continue to slide by, not be accountable, and live a carefree new life, while I work two jobs, go to school, and take care of the kids he left behind. I have been enjoying both your blog and your books. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with all of us, and giving us hope for the future!!

    Julie

  15. Angela
    February 4, 2015

    This time of the year makes me very depressed…thanks for your uplifting words…

  16. Debra
    February 5, 2015

    Perfect message to sum up exactly what I’m going through. I have ALOT of shedding going on right now, but this message gave me a way to put it all in perspective! Can’t wait to get to the other side of this season to enjoy what great growth and joy God has waiting for me! Praise you Lord for this message.

  17. MelanieGreen
    February 5, 2015

    But sometimes in life it’s like the only season there is is winter. There’s still hoe for summer though!

  18. dunny
    February 5, 2015

    Am hoping for a brighter day again in my . Mandy am depressed as am getting out of stress of single parent and enjoy a fulfilling life of been with a loved one death struck again and snatched away the love of my life in fact I didn’t know how to start again

  19. Xolelwa
    February 5, 2015

    thank u Mandy m going through winter of mine ryt now u have given me hope i shall wait in faith for my sunny days

  20. Dina kay
    February 5, 2015

    Truly inspiring miss truly uplifting…..nobody understands the load we carry and refuse to let go because we feel once we let go we will be left with nothing. Thank you for sharing this.

  21. Nokwazi Zee
    February 5, 2015

    At times it does feel like this winter won’t end, constant tears, blurry hope…almost like having to live by the vision of faith. Faith keeps me going and I know forsure that this cold rain will eventually stop.

    I dnt have to be afraid, but I end up being afraid… I want be still and trust God’s plan and timing. Thank u so much Mandy!

  22. Still waiting
    February 5, 2015

    I really needed this reminder as my season of winter seems to be never ending. I will hold on to my hope and know that spring is on the way, I hope sooner than later 🙂

  23. Bianca
    February 5, 2015

    I needed to read this. I’ve been in desperate need of positivity, as of late. After losing my job, and as a result losing my home all within the last 10 days, positive thoughts have been few and far between. I’ve been praying for good things to happen, and some have. My mother is letting me stay with her. I’m still waiting for some positivity when it comes to a job. I know this is just a season of my life. I know that this is my winter. A season of preparation for beautiful things to come. I’m praying now for an early spring, because this winter has been brutal.

  24. Anngia Wood
    February 5, 2015

    Needed this tonight…

  25. February 9, 2015

    Thank you for those beautiful words…they paint a very good picture of the process of winter and then comes spring. I have been believing the Lord for more in life. Making some changes and working on me. Thank you.

  26. Felicia
    February 10, 2015

    I want to thank you for those words of encouragement. I kind of feel like Wondering/Teri, when she said that she feels like rushing the Winter season to be over and let Spring come forth. I’m going through a real rough patch in my life that sometimes I feel like I can’t see the light. At my age, I’m going through a divorce and I will have to now start over. I’m feeling quite fearful and unsure about what is going to happen. But with God on my side I know I can make it. Sometimes I feel like all alone in this. I do have support from my Pastor and Bestie, but I still feel like I’m by myself. IJS–Felicia

  27. Lovely
    February 13, 2015

    can’t wait for that Spring to come.

  28. Ildike
    February 14, 2015

    Great words of encouragement! God bless you!

  29. February 26, 2015

    Praise God I found this! Thanks, Mandy! It’ll keep me hopeful ’til the end of the tunnel

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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Turn Toward the Sun CoverLife doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only