spring | Author Peter DeHaan

My Favorite Season

Spring is my favorite time of year. And with this year’s winter being longer, colder, and snowier than most, the promise of spring is even more welcomed. Here’s why I love spring.

I won’t say I hibernate during winter, but it is a season when I hunker down; my goal is survival. I’m not sure if it’s the limited daylight, colder temperatures, or white precipitation, but something about winter wears me down.

Winter is a season when I attempt to maintain the status quo. It’s an ill-advised time to take on new projects or pursue grand initiatives.

Then as the snow melts, I figuratively emerge, groggy-eyed from my self-imposed cave—that is, the sanctuary of my home. Warmer temperatures beckon.

Melting snow reveals brown grass, soon reborn to glorious green. Flowers bloom with forgotten color and tree buds burst forth in praise.

With refound ambition I anticipate what lies ahead; with renewed focus my plans give way to action.

Spring is a grand time. I wish it could be spring year round, but without the bleakness of winter standing in contrast, I fear I’d soon forget the wonder of springtime. So I accept winter as a precursor of what follows.

To me, spring is the antithesis of winter; it’s a great time to be alive. Spring signals new life, opportunities, and a fresh start. Spring also reminds me of God and the new life, opportunities, and fresh start he offers. This is why I love spring.

Thank you God for spring.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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My yard is coming alive with color. In addition to the greening of the grass (winter-brown was getting old), I’ve been enjoying flowers of all colors. This starts each spring, reminding me of new life.

First up is my Flowering Crab Apple Tree. It has lush white flowers every spring, which last for two or three weeks. This photo is of the tree at its peak.

Next is the Periwinkle (also called Vinca Minor or Myrtle). It has light blue flowers in the spring; it continues flowering throughout the summer, but not to the same extent as right now.

Lastly is the Phlox. It also flowers in the spring, lasting three or four weeks. It’s not been doing too good the last few years, as nearby trees are producing much more shade than the Phlox likes.

A close-up of the flower is shown in the final photo; they are quite stunning, but the foliage, which we see most of the year, is less than stellar.

I would like to transplant the Candystripe Phlox to a more suitable area in my yard, but I have yet to figure out where.

As far as were the Phlox are currently residing, I have already interspersed plantings of Dragon’s Blood Sedum, which has lush foliage and scarlet flowers in late summer to fall. (Where it is currently growing, there is no longer enough sunlight for it to bloom.)

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.