Spring is upon us.

And trust me, I’ve been waiting. I’m not so much a fan of that winter business. In fact, I dislike winter immensely . My spirits in December are usually sustained by the excitement of the Christmas season. But long about January, my patience with dark, cold weather runs out, and I disappear under a pile of fuzzy blankets. It is only after I hear the faint chirping of robins that I emerge from my blanket hole, like a suspicious, cranky groundhog.

There’s just something about the springtime season. Spring has long been associated with life, renewal, birth . . . yes, a fresh start. After fighting through months of frosty windshields and cold toes, there is a certain relief that comes with the sprigs of green grass under our feet, the white dogwood trees blooming on our daily drive, the daffodils peeking their yellow petals up toward the warmth of the sunshine. There is a new joy and optimism that greets our days.

However, as lighthearted as we may feel with our newfound warm weather, we must remember that it’s not spring everywhere. On the other side of the planet, it’s autumn. The weather is growing colder, the days are shortening and the leaves are falling off the trees. Porch flowers are dying, and nature is shutting down for a long winter’s hibernation. That’s the way seasons work . . . there’s always one coming or going.

The seasons of our life can also be full of times of joy and celebration—or grief and loss. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NLT), King Solomon points out: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” Sometimes in life, we get the blooms. Sometimes, we get the shriveled-up leaves.

But whatever our current life season, we don’t have to go it alone. God is there beside us through our highs and our lows. He also knows that we need each other, no matter what our season of life. In Romans 12:15 (NLT), Paul instructs us to “be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”

So celebrate the springs of your life! Dance with those who are joyful. Sit in the sunlight. Make clover chains and unabashedly wear them around your neck. But remember those who are in a season of loss and grief. Reach out to those who are struggling. Wrap your arms around those who mourn. Make their load just a little bit lighter.

Remember, whether high or low, warm or cold, happy or sad . . . this too shall pass. But our God is forever constant.

ELLEN ELLIOTT graduated with an art degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She works in a variety of mediums—from acrylic and watercolor to collage and digital—and is continually inspired by her favorite artists, including Mercer Mayer, Tomie dePaola, Jim Henson and many mid-century modern illustrators. Ellen has illustrated children’s books and created gift products for DaySpring Cards and Worthy Publishing. She likes laughter, feeding ducks, obsessive research, baby bellybutton lint, coffee and creating stories. She does not like Brussels sprouts, trigonometry, jerks, diet colas, rejection and cold toes. Ellen remains neutral about Switzerland. She lives in Arkansas with her two well-behaved kids and a rude cat.

Ellen is also author and illustrator for Be Bold , a  coloring devotional for teen girls!  Click here  to download FREE coloring page samples from this devotional, or  click here to purchase your copy of Be Bold today !