1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: Life Audio Welcome to the Crosswalk devotional. We are so 2 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: glad that have you listening with us here today. Today's 3 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:21,159 Speaker 1: topic is about spring's beauty. We will return after a 4 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: brief message from our sponsor. The Beauty of Spring, written 5 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: by Vivian Bricker, read by Rochelle Alberti Bible reading. When 6 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 1: a can's face brightens, it means life his favor is 7 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: like a rain cloud in spring Proverbs sixteen fifteen. Spring 8 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: is a time of new beginning. When I was younger, 9 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: it reminded me that the endless days of darks for 10 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: behind me. As someone who struggles with depression. Spring brings 11 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:07,399 Speaker 1: a renewed sense of hope. It helps me feel more 12 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:10,960 Speaker 1: positive about life and breaks the cycle of staying inside, 13 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: hiding from the world, and feeling empty. When spring arrives, 14 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 1: we are greeted by blooming flowers and the warm sun 15 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 1: on our faces. Many springs have filled my heart with 16 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 1: joy and given me a fresh start Emotionally, there is 17 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:29,479 Speaker 1: something about winter's darkness that brings dread. Yet spring ushers 18 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 1: in hope and joy. You may have experienced this too. 19 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: Spring has a way of leading their hearts towards warmth, tranquility, 20 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: and happiness. A few years ago, I began searching for 21 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: subtle signs of spring, even during the winter months. On walks, 22 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 1: I would look for the tiniest flower bud or a 23 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: green vine stretching quietly in the shadows. Without fail, God 24 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: would reveal a small sign of what was coming. Even 25 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: the smallest glimpse gave me hope for happyer, warmer, wilder 26 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: days ahead. The frigid season was passing and spring was 27 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: on its way. Spring feels especially beautiful after winter because 28 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: it restores our view of the world's beauty. During winter, 29 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 1: Nature lies dormant in spring and awakens and flourishes once again. 30 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: Spring is not a season to overlook, even if it 31 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 1: stirs up our allergies. Instead, we can rejoice in it 32 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: and give God glory for the fresh start we have 33 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: in hind. Just as the earth returns to life, we 34 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 1: can experience renewal too, especially if winter has been a 35 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 1: difficult season for us. If winter was hard, we need 36 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 1: to be honest with ourselves without condemning our struggles. Some 37 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: seasons are heavier than others, Yet we can hold on 38 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 1: to the promise that spring will come. Some years it 39 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: may feel delayed, but it will arrive, and when it does, 40 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 1: we can rejoice and praise the Lord with hopeful hearts. 41 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: Intersecting faith in life, the Bible tells us when a 42 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: king's face brightens, it means life. His favor is like 43 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: a rain cloud in spring Proverbs sixteen fifteen. In Biblical times, 44 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:17,079 Speaker 1: retaining to get Kiel's favor was vital. His disfavor could 45 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: result in death, but his approval meant protection and preservation. Likewise, 46 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 1: a rain cloud in spring is a blessing. It nourishes 47 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: the plants and flowers, sustaining their growth, in the same 48 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 1: way a king's joy brought life to his people. The 49 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 1: proverb reminds us that favor and blessing produce redewal, just 50 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: as spring rain revives the earth. Take special notice of 51 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: spring this year and allow it to warm your soul. 52 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 1: Winter has passed along with its bitter cold and long 53 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: dark days with sorrow and mental heaviness that sometimes accompanied 54 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: those months, and begin to lift as well. Spring carries 55 00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 1: the promise of new life, renewed joy, and restored home. Oh, 56 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: praise the Lord for the beauty in life he brings 57 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: through this season. What is your favorite thing about the 58 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: season of spring? What are a few ways you can 59 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: give God praise for the beauty of spring? Further reading 60 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 1: Oseiah sixty three, Isaiah sixty one, eleven Tewod Corinthians five seventeen. 61 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 2: The Crosswalk Devotional is a production of Life Audio and 62 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,359 Speaker 2: Salem Media. If you liked what you heard today, please 63 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 2: take a second to rate and review this podcast in 64 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 2: your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you 65 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, 66 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 2: visit us at lifeaudio dot com.