March Mini-Series: Spring for the Soul

🌱 The First Signs of Spring

“See! The winter is past…” – Song of Solomon 2:11-12

It seems a bit early to talk about spring, but after the long quiet of winter, something remarkable begins to happen. In a couple of days, we change our clocks forward to see more sunlight. The ground slowly begins to soften. Tiny shoots appear where nothing seemed to grow before. Spring rarely arrives all at once; it unfolds gently, almost quietly. The seasons change even when our hearts are still catching up. Healing in our hearts often works the same way. Spring does not rush – and neither does our healing.

🪷 When Small Changes Begin

Just like the first green shoots appear before full spring arrives, emotional healing often begins with tiny changes we barely notice. Sometimes it occurs when laughter erupts but guilt doesn’t. Other times it might be a peaceful moment during prayer. It may also be the feeling of safety when remembering someone with warmth instead of just sadness. At some point, children begin to play again and get into somewhat of a routine.

For several years before Daddy died, I watched as my sisters left for a week of church camp. It was held near the small country church we attended when we lived on the farm. I was always jealous when they came home and told us what a wonderful time they had, making new friends, playing fun games, memorizing Scripture, and so much more. They built relationships with kids, speakers, the camp pastor, and counselors. Each year they would go back and renew those relationships.

My turn came to go to camp when I was 8, and it was just a month before… my daddy died. While I was distraught, I also longed for some normalcy in my life. I had looked forward to going to camp for many years, and this one was to be my first time. Mom told me if I still wanted to go, I could. So, I did. That week was so beneficial after losing Daddy. It was like God planned for me to receive the support and help I needed. At. That. Time. It was a tiny bit of growth, but it was something. Not rushed. Not totally healed. But a baby step. And the years that followed at Camp Rock had a huge part in my growth going forward through my teen years.

Sometimes the small steps we take toward healing are exactly where God begins His work.

🌷 God Is Doing a New Thing

“See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:19

As we see, healing doesn’t come suddenly. Children often show healing through play, when their minds are imagining pleasant things. God allows our hearts to warm slowly, like the ground does as it prepares for new growth. As families, we should notice small signs of hope and build on those things.

When I think about a new season, I sometimes remember how strange it felt when the seasons kept moving forward after my daddy died. Our lives had changed so suddenly, and yet the world around us kept waking up again. Trees budded, the sun stayed out a little longer each evening, and somewhere in the middle of that quiet change, my heart began to soften just a little too.

🙋 Reflection for children:

“What is one small thing that made your heart feel warm this week?”

🎨 Activity Idea:

Draw a small flower just beginning to grow from the ground.

Inside the flower the child can draw or write:

• something that made them smile

• a person who helps them feel safe

• something they enjoy doing again

🌸 Spring for the Soul Reminder

Spring does not rush — and neither does our healing. God is often working in the smallest moments, bringing new life to hearts that are still learning to hope again.

🎉 🎉 BIG NEWS: Join the Launch Team for a May Release

Be Part of Something Hope-Filled

This May, as my picture book, And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope, is released into the world, I am inviting a special group of readers to be part of the Launch Team. An accompanying hope activity journal, Sunlight for the Soul: A Hope Journal for Kids Walking Through Sadness (ages 4-10), will also be available!

If you have a heart for children walking through grief…
If you believe in helping families grow stronger through faith…
If you would love behind-the-scenes updates, early access to the book, special giveaways, and encouragement along the way…

I would be honored to have you join us.

Launch team members will:

✨ Receive early updates and exclusive content

✨ Help share hope with families who need it most

✨ Be entered into special giveaways

✨ Play a meaningful role in bringing this message to children

✨ Receive a special gift as part of the launch team

More details are coming shortly. I would love for you to be part of this hope-filled journey!

Stay tuned, and begin praying now about joining us. 😀

📚 More Hope-Filled Resources, Just for You

Check out my website 🖥️ at https://marygracejohnsonauthor.com and download the “Seven Affirmations of Hope” for free.

📔 I also have two collaborative books available on Amazon:
Hope for the Holidays: Stories and Traditions for a Peaceful Season (2024) and the new 365-day devotional, A Year of Hope (2025).