Last season we planted a lot of new landscaping bushes. One in particular I really loved. I don’t know the name of it, but it’s small and round and produces gorgeous pink buds that grow into white flowers. I thought it was cold hardy and it would be fine, but during one of our winter storms this year, the little bush died.
Or so I thought.
Earlier this week, I glanced out our home office window and saw green at the base of our dead bush. I wondered if it was a weed taking over but didn’t have time to check. Later that day, my husband told me my little bush wasn’t dead—it was coming back. I’m so thrilled that it survived and is making a comeback.
Spring is a reminder that no matter how bad things look, life can change. Overnight the bleak, brown and gray world around us started transforming. One day, green started appearing everywhere. Now trees are beginning to bloom with pink and white blossoms. Color is all around. The landscape that looked hopeless and dreary a few days ago is now coming back to life. I’m thankful that God brings new life in spring, and in the dry and bleak places in our lives.
Watching the seasons change is amazing. After spending twelve years on the Texas coast (where there are two seasons—summer and February), I was so thankful to move to Oklahoma in 2019 and have a chance to experience real seasons again. Sure, I have my favorites and least favorites, but there are things I love about each one: watching the world come to life again in spring, the long days of summer, the stunning colors and crisp days of fall, and the slower pace of winter.
Life has seasons, too. Some are hard and seem like they’ll never end. Some are wonderful and seem to be gone in the blink of an eye. Some are confusing and full of changes. But one thing is true about any season—it doesn’t last forever. Seasons pass, which means we always need to be preparing for the next one. When we’re in a good season, we can’t slack off on our time with God. A hard season will come sooner or later, and we need to be ready to face it. During a hard season, we can’t give up clinging to hope, because one day the seasons will change and good will come again.
During our almost 22 years of marriage, my husband and I have been through a lot of seasons. We’re in a strange, new season of our lives now. Our boys aren’t kids anymore. Our oldest is about to turn twenty, and our youngest will graduate from high school in May. In no time, they will be gone, starting their independent lives. Our nest will be empty. Seeing this new season on the horizon brings a lot of mixed emotions. It’s sad, exciting, and terrifying to watch your kids become adults and start making their own lives. But one thing hasn’t changed—we’ll get through this season with God.
I’m thankful that in a world where change is the only constant, I serve the unchanging God. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Life will change, sometimes for good, and sometimes for bad. But Jesus never changes, and He will help me navigate each season of life.
Just because we’re supposed to do it doesn’t mean it will be easy.
In 2010, I knew God was leading me to go back to school and become a dental hygienist. I’d researched it and prayed about it and I was sure this was the right path, even though I was a pastor’s wife and mom of two boys and manager of a gym. I knew it would be hard. But I was excited and my family supported me, so I took the last few prerequisite classes I needed and applied. In April 2011, I got my acceptance letter. Classes started in July.
It took one day in that first class to realize I’d greatly underestimated how hard this program would be. I’d aced classes like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and more. But that first class was brutal—a five week summer session known as the weed out class.
I made it, finishing with a B, and moved on to the fall semester. The two year associates degree program for dental hygiene was brutal. I was up by 5:00 every morning and out the door by 7:00. I spent my mornings in class, and my afternoons and evenings managing a gym. I’d get home around 7:30 every night to eat dinner, see my family for just a little bit, put my boys to bed, study until midnight, and do it all again the next day. By my last semester, I cried every day on my drive to college.
But the day I graduated was one of the proudest moments of my life. My husband and boys cheered the loudest as I walked across the stage. I made it across, then burst into tears. The journey had not been easy. I’d second guessed myself countless times. I’d wondered if I misunderstood God when He led me to this. But just because He calls us doesn’t mean it will be an easy road. Now, after several years of my career, I still love what I do. I’m so glad I followed this path, even though it wasn’t easy.
I’ve been a bit overwhelmed with reading lately. It’s one of those time when all my books came in at once: library holds, early reader copies, book launch teams, and book mail. It’s a pretty happy way to be overwhelmed, though. There are so many great books on my spring TBR list, from classics to brand new releases.
A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber
I binged the entire Lady Darby Mysteries series in a matter of weeks. Honestly I felt lost without more to listen to. The narrator for the audiobooks is amazing. I’m so excited for book number ten, due out the first week of April!
Jo’s Boys and Little Men by Louisa May Alocott
Little Women is one of my favorite books of all time, but I’ve never read the sequels. Our local library has both. I’m looking forward to the continuing story of the March family.
The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
One of the reading challenges I’m doing this year has “a book that was made into a movie” as one category. I love Charles Martin’s books, and I haven’t read this one yet, so it’s the perfect fit. I know it’s very different from the movie. We all know the book is better anyway, but the screenwriters drastically changed to storyline and details. I’m looking forward to reading this, and, because it’s Charles Martin, I know to have my tissues ready.
Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill
Historical fiction has become one of my top three genres, and I’m really looking forward to this debut novel. I’m part of a book tour for this brand new release. Discovering great new authors is one reason I love being part of book tours and launch teams!
Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch
Serial killers mysteries are the best! (That’s a totally normal statement for a pastor’s wife…right?) I’m so thrilled to be on the launch team for this upcoming Love Inspired Trade novel. It sounds so good! Honestly, I’m really excited about this whole line from Love Inspired—they have some great books coming out this year.
The Do-Over by Bethany Turner
Nobody writes a rom-com like Bethany Turner! I’ve been a fan since I read The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck. I got a NetGalley early reader copy of her upcoming release.
What’s on your spring TBR list? Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and add me as a friend on Goodreads if you’d like to follow what I’m reading.
My reading time is beginning to dwindle down as the days get warmer and longer. We’ll soon add new animals to our mini farm, I’ll plant flowers and maybe a few vegetables, and I can finally start walking again when the time changes and the days get warmer. Thanks to more winter weather, though, I’ve gotten a lot of reading done in the last month. (THREE winter storms in a month—why, Oklahoma, why???) Here are the highlights from the past month of reading.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Next to the Bible, Little Women has influenced me more than any other book. Jo March made me want to be a writer. She showed me that it was okay to be a tomboy, that I could chase my dreams, that I could learn to control my temper, and so much more. I loved rereading this gorgeous edition from our local library and plan to dive into the rest of the series, which I haven’t read.
The Record Keeper by Charles Martin
I have so many feelings about this book…so much emotion. This is my fifth Charles Martin book, and I’ve accepted the fact that I will cry during every single book. It’s so worth it, though. This conclusion to the Murphy Shepherd trilogy will stay on mind for weeks and months to come. It was so powerful. This releases in July. I read an early copy through NetGalley.
The Family Garden Plan by Melissa K. Norris
This book is so helpful for a newbie gardener like me! The author breaks everything down into simple to understand instructions and suggestions. Reading it really boosted my confidence. I found it so helpful that I’m planning to buy a copy so I can continue to reference it.
In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson
I’m completely addicted to historical mysteries now. After binging the entire Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber, I’ve moved to Abigail Wilson and am now binging her novels. Im reading another now, and she only has one more after it. Any suggestions for more historical mysteries?
The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright
Jaime Jo Wright is one of those authors that automatically goes on my TBR list as soon as her book releases. I don’t even need to read the description, I just know it’s going to be good. This may very well be her best—and creepiest—book yet. Abandoned cabins, axe murderers, creepy dolls, missing people…it’s so good! It’s not out yet (another NetGalley copy) but you won’t have to wait long. It releases April 5.
What are you reading now? What you recommend to someone looking their next great book?
Amanda Holland 