And Then Suddenly…Everything Changed

FlowersThis winter in Tennessee seemed to stretch on forever. One gray, cold day after another passed…the trees bare and stripped of life, the flowers hidden far beneath the winter snow, the sky heavy with clouds that looked like they might never part. Every day for the past few weeks I have looked around as I drove these country roads home, searching for any sign of LIFE. I remember even saying to my mom: “Why is it taking so long for the trees to bloom this year? I miss leaves. I miss color. I miss beauty.”

And then…all of a sudden, seemingly overnight…everything changed. As I drove up to the ranch one day last week, I literally gasped at the sight before me. White fluffy dogwood trees had burst wide awake from their long winter’s nap. The green willow trees surrounding the pond (that appeared only yesterday to be sad, limp twigs) swayed in the breeze. And as I turned my car into the long driveway, the sun pierced through the clouds and set the whole scene ablaze…almost as though God had hit a heavenly light switch. It was glorious. And only the day before, the same scene had looked cold and gray and lifeless and hopeless. 

What lessons nature has to teach us, friends. The trees and flowers know when it is time to bloom and when it is time to rest and stay hidden. They know how much time it takes to set the stage for a beautiful, awe-inspiring opening night. They know that sometimes it takes weeks and month of NOTHING to create a breathtaking SOMETHING. They know that the miracle that seems like it might never arrive can happen literally overnight. (THAT fast!) And they know that even though winter sometime feels like it will last forever, spring has never failed us yet. 

So maybe we could take a lesson from nature & trust the timing of our lives, too?

9 Responses to “ And Then Suddenly…Everything Changed ”

  1. MC
    March 28, 2015

    Love this! Love trees and love their symbol. I have always had a thing for trees. For me they represents life. It’s like when it’s fall(symbolic), it represents sad times, but when spring comes there’s new life, hope. Thank you, Mam for sharing.

  2. Stella
    March 29, 2015

    Great!

  3. Theresa
    March 30, 2015

    That sounds lovely. We still have snow on the ground here in Northeastern PA. It feels like we are in a perpetual winter (more snow tomorrow).But, I love your message. It is a sign of hope amid despair.

  4. D Stevenson
    March 30, 2015

    Thank you so very much for your insightful writing!! It is inspiring and very needed.

  5. D Stevenson
    March 30, 2015

    Very insightful and so appreciated. . Thank you!

  6. Trish
    March 30, 2015

    Thank you for this.

  7. Melissa
    March 30, 2015

    This was a lovely read. Thank you for sharing!

  8. gloria emery
    April 6, 2015

    Just came across thesinglewomen.net, Just now at 56 yrs of being single, what have I missed out on, please keep me informed, thanks so much.

  9. Melissa
    April 22, 2015

    Thank you Mandy. Beautifully written. I had almost given up hope, but I think that my own Spring just might have arrived. I’ve met a man who is treating me with respect and care. One day we were strangers. And then the next day we met. And like a light switch turning on, my world opened up and the ice is beginning to melt. No one knows what the future holds in store, but I am hopeful for all of us single women.

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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