There is a saying that is common at this time of year.  April showers bring May flowers. Maybe you have used it yourself. I think it is a simple phrase that captures what we are all feeling. Could there be a sense of joy and purpose beyond the inconvenience and gloom we’ve been feeling? If we stop to reflect a little more, we would agree that that moving beyond complaining about all that’s gone wrong takes a little more work.

As we move toward spring, I am not sure what painful COVID or post-COVID realities you are dealing with. I know a few people who have lost loved ones. For others, conflict over disagreements have caused conflict and relational pain.  No matter the case, I know that for each of us it will be a challenge to see beyond this season and to make some decisions to see things from a new perspective. If we can do this, I believe we are all ready for a new way forward. If we can see beyond the complaints and the setbacks, maybe a bigger picture can emerge.

Years ago, I started making it a regular pattern to say grace before meals. Maybe you have paused for a silent moment of thanks considering that many around the world do not even get one meal a day. As part of that prayer time, I started thanking God even for rainy days.  It helped me to remember that the world does not revolve around me. It was an important first step to curb my habit to complain when things did not go as planned.

As part of that simple practice, something deeper took place. At first, my kids laughed, and I giggled along. But then I did it again and again, and then it happened. When it came around for them to pray, they whispered, “Dear God, thank for remembering to water the plants and for providing a drink for the animals. Thank you for the rain today.”

Listen, we all know that it does not exactly fit the science of how rain works, but sometimes seeing things from a different perspective moves us beyond our complaint-filled world. Perhaps you need that this spring. It may be a new outlook or a new sense of hope that will push you past the complaining.  This is a great time to reflect on what you believe about God, faith and the way painful moments can bring about a new perspective filled with purpose. Spring is one of the best times to consider that even things that seem broken or dead can come back to life if we look just beyond the surface. Yes, even painful situations don’t have to get the final say; it’s that season when new life is budding all around.