Springing Forward

Consider yourself warned. The dreaded spring forward to Daylight Savings time happens this weekend. For some reason, the powers that be have us giving up an hour of sleep in March now rather than in April. I guess it doesn’t matter which month, though. I’ve not met anyone yet who likes to sacrifice that 60 minutes of shut-eye.

Think about it. Just mention that it’s time to spring forward, and everyone groans. Nobody likes having an hour of precious sleep stripped away. Nobody likes getting up in what feels like the dead of night. And most people aren’t particularly fond of the changing-all-your-clocks chore. I think I can safely say I speak for millions when I say, “Springing forward is a pain.”

At least that’s how everyone feels on Saturday night and Sunday morning. By Sunday evening, however, after we get that first taste of an extra hour of daylight, we start to change our tunes. We say things like, “Well, it is nice to have it staying light longer…” and “Boy, I love that extra hour of sunshine.” It seems the thrill of seeing spring at the end of our winter tunnel has replaced our cranky attitudes, and we concede that there are indeed benefits to springing forward after all.

Springing forward in other areas of our lives feels much the same, doesn’t it? Deciding to take that first step of a new venture or getting serious about accomplishing one of our goals usually requires a sacrifice of some sort. Indeed, change is never easy, and sometimes it’s downright painful. But then the benefit comes, and its light overshadows the pain.

As we spring forward this weekend into daylight savings time, are there areas in our personal or spiritual lives that cry out for a spring forward as well? Do some of us need to take a step to conquer a habit or change a long-ingrained way of thinking? Do some need to start eating healthy or begin exercising regularly? Some of us may need to forgive someone who has wronged us. Others may need to make a bold move into a new career or just take up a new hobby or learn a new skill. And all of us surely have an area of spiritual growth that just awaits our step of obedience.

Even though springing forward can be downright painful at times, if we’ll take that first step and get past the initial discomfort of change, we’ll soon see benefits that have us changing our tunes. The thrill of accomplishment and the blessing of obedience will have us saying, “You know, springing forward wasn’t so bad after all…”

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3

*Flickr photo by A6U571N

Comments

  1. Cheryl,

    great message…

    This says it all for me:

    “Springing forward in other areas of our lives feels much the same, doesn’t it? Deciding to take that first step of a new venture or getting serious about accomplishing one of our goals usually requires a sacrifice of some sort. Indeed, change is never easy, and sometimes it’s downright painful. But then the benefit comes, and its light overshadows the pain.

    As we spring forward this weekend into daylight savings time, are there areas in our personal or spiritual lives that cry out for a spring forward as well?”

    I’m going to share the link to this message on my Facebook. Blessings and love!

  2. Thanks so much, Lisa, for sharing the link. What a blessing! Love to you!

  3. Cheryl,
    What a great message. I, for one, am so glad to see the coming of spring. If it comes with the pain of changing the gazillion clocks in my house I’m all for it!

    I love the comparison to changing long-standing behaviors and habits. It is so much easier to leave the status quo as is. But as you said, the extra light is well worth the trouble.

    Thanks so much for your encouraging comments during and after my trip to Haiti. You bless me tremendously. :-)

    Happy wedding planning…and truffle eating!

  4. “But then the benefit comes, and its light overshadows the pain.”

    Always life in the light!

    Great analogy, Cheryl. I’ll remember it when Sunday morning and evening rolls around.

    peace~elaine

  5. Love the lighter evenings, but the dark mornings we can do without.

    But yes we do need to strive to spring forward in so many other ways too. Great post! : )

  6. I just dread our having to change the hands on the big clock high up over the TV.

  7. Good thoughts! And, I am glad I read this because I did not even realize it was daylight savings time this weekend! I love the extra hour of daylight!

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