“I wish it could be spring every day,” my niece commented. So do I, I thought. But being older, I am aware that if we did not have winter, we would take spring for granted like we do so many other things in our lives.

God designed seasons for a reason, and I, for one, am grateful for them. I admit that winter is my least favorite as I do not like cold weather, but I have to admit that snow is pretty (as long as I am curled up next to the fire with a cup of hot coffee).

As with seasons, so is life. There are seasons that we especially enjoy and some that we would rather pass us by, but those difficult times are necessary to draw us closer to the Father and give us a new appreciation for “spring” when it finally arrives.

I have been reading verses about rejoicing lately and thinking especially about 1 Thessalonians 5:16 which tells us to “Rejoice always!” I think a lot of people are convinced that this is not really what the verse means, but I don’t know how you can interpret it any other way. We are to give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I don’t believe this means to give thanks for everything, but in everything, there is always something to be thankful for.

This week, if nothing else, thank God for Jesus and His willingness to die so that we might have life with Him. If you are tempted to complain about being stuck at home, thank Him that you and your family have escaped the virus that’s going around. And if you live in a northern state, thank God for the promise of spring! He is so faithful.