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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Snow Still Falls in Spring

When we first moved from the deep-south to the mid-west, I devoted many-an-hour to my favorite new past-time:

Watching fresh snow fall from the heavens.

(A sky-show we Sunshine State  girls dream of all our lives.)

Rhythmic magic, drifting in peaceful purpose, as if called for calm by its Maker.

And, it didn’t disappoint.

Until that day in May, six months later.

Having arrived early to pick up my kids from school, I was enjoying my last moments of quiet for the day, when, to my southern surprise—fluffy, fat drops, clothed in white, began dancing along my windshield.

Seriously?

Does it never get warm around these parts?

Hey, Mother Nature, in case you’ve lost your calendar…it’s Spring!

This Florida girl had had her fill of freezing weather, thank you very much.

     

Looking out my window as I write this morning, delicate snow-puffs catch in the wind this early spring day.

For many, it feels like the winter that just won’t quit  this year.

Soft beauty elegantly falling—in the wrong season.

And yet, there’s just something about snow that makes you want to forgive it.

Maybe it’s the south  in me, but even when snow pushes the boundaries of its season, I can’t help but be charmed by its gentleness.

A grace shower, it is.

Seems to me that beauty  is subjective. That it adapts to its surroundings, malleable to the most unforeseen of moments.

The barely-visible green of blossoms pressing up against lacy, white snow—two seasons converging.

     

It occurs to me that this is Hope  in all its glory. Tweet This

The long winter of pain, bumping up against the comforting spring of relief.

Beauty beneath the surface—greeting beauty in the light.

Beauty upon beauty.

Both submissive to their parts of the story.

Winter and Spring. Rising up, becoming one.

Bearing witness to Hope. 


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Comments

  1. Betsy de Cruz says

    March 22, 2018 at 5:37 am

    I love this, Brenda. A grace shower of snow. Beauty is, indeed, a matter of perspective. Oh, how I need to open my eyes!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:42 am

      Right there with ya, friend. Before I edited it out, the last line of this post used to be, “Lord, may we have eyes to see.” He places beauty in often overlooked places, doesn’t He? xoxo

      Reply
  2. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    March 22, 2018 at 5:37 am

    Brenda,
    Beautiful post…two seasons bumping up against each other…one bringing hope. yes, how can we not forgive those beautiful plump flakes that fall….I guess because we don’t have to shovel them lol. Praying for hope and renewal all around.
    Blessings sweet friend,
    Bev xo

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:43 am

      Haha, so true. Mother Nature also brought the sun today to melt it all away, didn’t she? Hope you’re having a good trip. Can’t wait to hear the update when you return. xoxo

      Reply
  3. Jill says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:12 am

    It’s such a God moment to experience and appreciate the beauty in the simple things of life-like a spring snow. However, I am happy that this storm missed us here-I’m ready for Spring! Thanks Brenda for the beautiful perspective, as always!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:46 am

      You and me both, friend. I’m itching to sit on my porch and read and think. I seem to do my best thinking while sitting on my porch. 🙂 (I keep telling myself I’m gonna have to get one of those tall outdoor heater things so I can sit outside in the winter.) — Glad the storm missed you, and hope you get some springy weather soon, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  4. Anita Ojeda says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:18 am

    Beautiful word pictures, my friend! We’ve had an incredibly dry winter (cold, though). I long for some rain or snow to soak into the brown and crack open the green. The desert always astounds me because it DOES get green-tinged despite the lack of moisture.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:50 am

      Oooh, I pray you get some wet weather soon. (And, hopefully in the form of snow since it is one of the most beautiful things in nature!) That is interesting about the desert green-ness. I’d never thought of that before. God is such a genius — creating this planet with the ability to sustain itself with all its different environmental needs. Good to see you, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  5. Michele Morin says

    March 22, 2018 at 8:25 am

    And still we “bump”–spring into winter; winter into spring depending on the day.
    I know that March snow cannot last, and it’s so lovely today outside my window that it’s hard to be grumpy.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:52 am

      So true, Michele. Our high today will be 52. 🙂 I agree, snow has a way of chasing the grumpies away. Makes me want to do laundry and make soup and nest. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  6. Becky Hastings says

    March 22, 2018 at 8:40 am

    I love how you can see both sides of the season, finding the beauty in it all. I’m here looking at snow today, content with the promise that spring will come because winter never stays. Grateful for the seasons.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:54 am

      I love that, Becky. “…Spring will come because winter never stays.” Great life lessons in that simple phrase. Thank you for sharing. I agree, so grateful for the seasons. Thanks for being here, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  7. Paris Renae says

    March 22, 2018 at 8:44 am

    Beautiful thoughts = sweet reminders…

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:54 am

      🙂 Thanks for being here and sharing, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  8. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    March 22, 2018 at 9:07 am

    This is exactly what I thought the other day when I saw it falling afresh.

    “Soft beauty elegantly falling—in the wrong season.

    And yet, there’s just something about snow that makes you want to forgive it.”

    Love your writing, Brenda. I hope we can meet one day. xoxo

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:56 am

      Wouldn’t that be fun…to meet! I hope so too, friend. — If you’ll ever be at She Speaks, I try to go most years if I’m able. (It’s in my backyard, so it’s the easiest conference for me to get to.) Thanks for your sweet encouragement, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  9. Rachel says

    March 22, 2018 at 9:38 am

    “Winter and spring, rising up, becoming one.” Love that picture!
    What a beautiful post Brenda!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:58 am

      Thankful for you and your gift of encouragement, sweet friend. Thanks for being here and sharing. xoxo

      Reply
  10. Linda Kinsman says

    March 22, 2018 at 10:58 am

    I love your writing Brenda! It reached out to me like balm for my soul this frosty cold morning.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:59 am

      Awe, thank you for sharing that, Linda. Makes my heart smile. So glad you’re here. May spring find its way to your area soon. xoxo

      Reply
  11. Leslie Newman says

    March 22, 2018 at 11:10 am

    Love your thoughts here, Brenda!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 12:00 pm

      🙂 Lovely to see you, Leslie. Thanks for being here, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  12. Lauren Sparks says

    March 22, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    Beautiful. As a Texas girl I can relate to how magical snow feels! laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      We southern girls are fans of the white stuff, aren’t we. Oops, that didn’t sound right. haha. 🙂 Fans of the SNOW! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Lauren. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. ((hug))

      Reply
  13. nylse says

    March 22, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    I’m enjoying the LARain – the rhythmic, cleansing and refreshing nature of it all. And you are right – it reminds me of hope. Hope realized.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      Glad y’all are getting some rain over your way. It’s been so dry in your state this year, hasn’t it? Hope shows up and overwhelms us in the most unexpected ways, doesn’t it? Thanks for being here, Nylse. ((Hug))

      Reply
  14. Calvonia Radford says

    March 22, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Your post today is a beautifully poetic vision of a God who can converge two seasons and cause us to stand in awe. I can read this over and over again.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:08 pm

      Calvonia, thank you for your beautiful encouragement today. And, right there with you…so in awe of our great God. Thanks for being here and sharing today. ((hug))

      Reply
  15. Linda Stoll says

    March 22, 2018 at 12:44 pm

    for sure, it seems like winter won’t quit … ever. this is when hearing from our friends in the south and seeing life through their lenses offers us breaths of fresh air.

    i’m breathing deep with every image of spring that’s coming my way!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:08 pm

      ((Hug)) Hope you get some spring glory soon, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  16. Rebecca Jones says

    March 22, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    Cold here in Ga. we’ve had our dusting of snow, you have to be up in the mountains to get more. It is beautiful though, March going out like a lion really windy. Beauty upon beauty, lovely phrase, thanks Brenda.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:10 pm

      Dustings of snow are perfect…you get to watch it falling like butterflies, but don’t have to worry about driving in it or shoveling it. 🙂 Thanks for being here and sharing your sweet comments, Rebecca. ((Hug))

      Reply
  17. Joanne Viola says

    March 22, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Beautiful post, Brenda. It’s funny but here we braced for our 4th Nor’Easter in March. It did snow but nothing stuck & I found myself slightly disappointed. As I read your post, I realized there are times we may just not be ready for the next season. We try to hold onto the present. Other times, we want to rush through to the next one. May my heart find peace in embracing the current season and embracing the beauty in this moment. Neither lagging behind nor rushing ahead. But keeping step with our God who is over every season. Thank you friend!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      Yes, so true. Love your insight, friend. Thank you for sharing it. — And, our snow didn’t stick more than 24 hours either, but it sure was lovely to watch its magic fall out of the sky. 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  18. Lisa Appelo says

    March 22, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    Brenda, I didn’t realize you’re a Florida girl! I am too — born and bred. Where are you from? I can only imagine that when spring finally comes fully, it will be very welcome. Our spring is on and with it the pollen and leaves. But the flowers are beautiful.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 22, 2018 at 5:18 pm

      I haven’t lived in FL for close to 20 years, but I’m from Tallahassee. 🙂 (And, even lived a little while in your area. 🙂 ) I miss the beaches, but now that we’re in NC, we have some beaches again. (PTL) A porch and a beach are my two happy places. 🙂 We have some pollen here in NC too, but nothing like FL. And, the humidity here isn’t nearly as harsh as FL either. I bet the flowers are in full bloom by now where you are. They’re not quite blooming here yet, just a few confused crape myrtles so far. When we have some warmer late-winter days, some of them get confused and bloom early. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing, friend. ((Hug))

      Reply
  19. Betty Draper says

    March 22, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    A grace shower being snow, love this, it is soft and gentle even when it snows hard. We are experiencing lots of rain here in southern CA. We certainly need it but even with something so refreshing there can be drama, like mud slides. Heaven will be snow without the fleet and ice that is so dangerous, rain without mud slides and flooding.

    Reply
  20. Beth Bond says

    March 22, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    Brenda,

    So touched by the poetry of your description of snow. As a Southern gal too I hear you about enough is enough. Even here in Atlanta, I am nervously watching my blueberry blossoms that bloomed four weeks ago praying that one of the cold snaps doesn’t take them. We are certainly not suffering like folks in the Northeast but every Northeaster brings us the potential for frost. Thanks for leading this conversation of the beautiful creation God has made for us and also finding the silver lining when it snows in May ;0)

    Reply
  21. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    March 23, 2018 at 9:59 am

    Thanks so much for hosting! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

    Reply
  22. Joy Lenton says

    March 23, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    I smiled at your words today, Brenda. Not only because they speak about discovering beauty and noting grace glimmers in the everyday, but also because where we live there is rarely snow enough that settles long and stays, yet this winter it has! There’s a kind of bare bones beauty about winter’s elemental expression. Maybe we need that raw, pared back element to be ready for the abundance of spring? Our hearts rejoice to see signs of new, vivid colours of life and vitality poking out of previously barren and bare soil, just as we rejoice over Christ’s resurrection from the confines of the tomb. May we all learn to savour the beauty to be found in every season! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Donna Reidland says

    March 24, 2018 at 12:14 am

    We rarely get a snow that lasts long enough to contemplate, so I enjoyed your thoughts here, Brenda. I am trying to be thankful for our spring winds … not my favorite thing about spring in the Southwest. 🙂

    Reply
  24. a spirit of simplicity says

    March 25, 2018 at 7:19 am

    Oh that is a lovely way of looking at snow in May. Here in New England winter is hanging on and giving us a taste of what for. We’ve had 3 nor’easters since spring began on the calendar. I can smell spring in the air though so I have faith that her sweet little graceful self will be here soon.

    Reply
  25. Charla says

    March 27, 2018 at 8:05 pm

    Brenda, I so enjoy your way with words; your perspective. Our lingering season is a bit frustrating. Yet, I can’t deny the joy I feel when unexpected snow showers fall. It’s much like experiencing joy in the midst of trial. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

    Reply
  26. Rachel Daniel says

    March 27, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Brenda, I especially enjoyed this post tonight. We’re having a unusually cold spring in Texas, and I was thinking the exact same thing. As the cool breeze wafts through our block, I’m thinking about your words, “Soft beauty elegantly falling – in the wrong season.” I love how God has no boundaries…seasonal or otherwise. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Favorite Spring Books says:
    February 29, 2020 at 11:08 am

    […] Debbie Kitterman, Becoming Press, Journeys in Grace, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Brenda Bradford Dottinger, Wise Woman, Be Thee Inspired, Quietly Reminded, Mommynificent, Sarah Frazer, Soaring With Him, […]

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This time last year, I was 11 days into what was s This time last year, I was 11 days into what was supposed to be a one-month sugar fast. After going a little sideways on the holiday sugar the previous month, I decided to re-center & nix the sugar for January 2020.
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Fast forward to January 2021, over 12 months later, and I’m sill sugar free.
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Never did  I intend to make this a lifestyle, it just sort of chose me. When I got to February & saw all the valentine candy, knowing my affinity for those dang chewy cinnamon and cherry hearts, it only seemed right to continue my fast another month.
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But, in rolled March being all tempting with her candies of Easter, so I continued through April.
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But, a funny thing happened on the way to May. By May, I didn’t really want sugar anymore. (Mostly.)
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So, here I am in January 2021 still sugar-free. I’ve lost 34 pounds, and feel so much better.
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Friend, who do you want to be this time next year? Whatever that goal is that feels big & daunting, I’m here to tell you that—you can do it!
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What will the “you of January 2022” be thankful to the “you of today” for doing?
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Show up for her! Change is rarely comfortable & easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, or that you’re not worthy of it, my friend.
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We can get so busy with life & family & ministry that we forget to show up for ourselves. It’s not selfish to remember your goals & dreams, friend. Allow those seeds God planted to instinctively guide you as you baby-step your way to success.
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And, if you’ve already fallen off the wagon with your new-year goals, no worries! It’s okay! Brush yourself off, give yourself grace, and begin anew! You’ll be glad you did this time next year!
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You’ve got this, friend; I believe in you! 💗
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Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, th Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, they invest themselves into who we become, leaving a clear before and after in their dust.
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We hold these moments close, protective of their scars, as they nestle deep within our personalities, affecting the way we view ourselves and others.
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How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence & calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.
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But friend, time and again Scripture reveals the Lord’s delight in using broken people, shaping what “would have been” into something full of purpose and abundance.
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Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach , sweet friend.
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Our sorrows aren’t too great for God to find His glory in them.
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— Read the full devotion & join the conversation over at proverbs31.org today! Meet you there, friend! 💗
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Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure with God.
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The Lord has done amazing work in my life in the area of fear, but even still, it continues to be a stronghold in my life at times. What about you, friend?
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I encourage you to check out this beautiful new study by @katymccown . Together May we step into 2021 armed with tools & truth to smile without fear!
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Praying for you, sweet friend. 💗
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Happy New Year, friend. I’m so thankful for you! May His favor rest upon your home in 2021. 🥰
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