Lifegiving Rhythms of Springtime

Time, work, colors: the rhythms of our world change when it becomes springtime.

Thank the Lord that springtime changes the world! I was becoming tired of the stillness of winter.

“When did it get to be spring all the sudden?” My little boy asked this week. I explained that seasons change and that now it’ll just keep getting warmer and warmer.

At first, we are always a little rattled by the official time change. We lose one hour of sleep supposedly, and it takes everyone a week or two to adjust. But then it becomes normal and here we are…our schedules are swapped over to longer evenings.

Does the Time Change Effect Your Life?

Around here, the time change really does effect everything. I have found us waking up with the sun, which is for now an hour later than I was waking up a few weeks ago! It’s difficult to get up when it’s still dark out. The goats are still sleeping, too, so it’s only natural!

Then, later in the day, our rest time is at the peak of the sun coming in on our porch. We usually stay outdoors when the weather is so nice, but when the shade is scarce, we decide that it’s time to come inside and take a break. I like how it kinda naturally happens.

Another thing that really changes with the time and the longer days, is our dinner time. In the winter, we are usually indoors by dark, which was 5:30 or 6 old time. I find that I’m not getting dinner on the table until 7 or 7:30 these days. There are so many things to be done outside that I can’t be bothered being indoors while there’s daylight!

My husband and little boys almost refuse to come inside for dinner until the work is done…and it is dark. Just another rhythm that gets changed by springtime. I don’t mind, because after dinner, the boys play, we wind down, and bedtime is just around the corner.

In the summer, my crew usually stays out even later. After dinner when the sun is going down, is the perfect time to make a trip across the hill to the garden. Then they are good and dirty and ready for bed even sooner!

The Nature of Chores Change Around Here

In the wintertime, our chore load is relatively manageable. My husband and boys take care of the animals still…but there are not near as many mouths to feed. The ice has to be broke up and the feed refilled…the hay replenished and the barns stocked with warm bedding.

But in the springtime the work seems to explode!

All of the sudden, the amount of mouths to feed has tripled or more! Here come the chicks, the piglets, and the kids. (Baby goats…that is!) Now, we have to keep the water refilled every day, fix fence to expand the hog lot, build fence to keep new goats…the work is insane!

And inside it’s much the same. We have seed starts to care for. They will soon be ready for the big garden. The raised beds are waiting to be planted as well. I get really excited and start using up the winter’s food supply because I know there will be a ton coming in during the summertime.

Planting time will be soon and that will bring on a new load of work.

Animals and garden are not for the faint of heart. Especially if you come home after working an entire work day, like my husband.

At the time I’m writing this, I’m full term pregnant so…I help where I can. But my husband is definitely taking the load of the work around here right now. My little boys are learning and helping, too.

Having this farm life is really wonderful. If you’ve never felt completely worn out, tired, sore, sunburnt, and happy from a hard evening’s work… you’re missing out!

The Colors Even Speak a New Life Rhythm

I can’t leave off without mentioning the visual changes we see when it becomes spring. One day, I’m looking out, and all I see is brown, dead, trees (and my evergreens). Then one day, all the sudden, the trees and bushes are exploding with little bits of green!

It’s amazing and I am in awe of it every time. The woods get harder and harder to see through, because the leaves and blooms are here!

My little forsythia bush blooms pretty yellow. The little redbuds and dogwood trees, the dandelions and the violets start coming to life. It hurts my ears when people complain of the pollen…but I guess they have good reason. But I adore the little blooms and blossoms that are poking through.

My dead vines from the berry bushes are springing to life, too. It’s all a reminder that something really good is going to be coming in the next few months…delicious fruit!

Rhythms are Joyful

In closing, I just wanted to remark on how seasons in our world, even though they bring different challenges or pleasures, are a reflection of greater things.

The Lord has ordained the world to function this way- in different seasons. Just like he does our lives. We go through seasons and rhythms ourselves, whatever they may be. I’m going through pregnancy, which right now is very close to being over!

The arrival of our little girl will be so incredible and I can’t hardly wait. The anticipation will turn into a joyous occasion.

I wanted to leave by encouraging you to look at your life’s rhythm as something to rejoice in. Whatever it may be…whether it’s difficult, just remember that spring is coming and we can look forward to new life.

If things are going pretty well for you, thank Him and realize that you are truly blessed. I hope this season change has been good for you. At least get outside and soak up some sunshine. Because that always makes everything seem a little better.

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