Creative Ways to Celebrate Spring With Your Family

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come… – Song of Solomon, 2:11-12

What is your favorite season of the year? As much as I enjoy the wonders that each season holds – the first snow of winter, the balmy nights of summer, the beauty of fall foliage – as soon as the days begin to grow brighter and the flowers start to bloom, my heart yearns to celebrate the splendor of spring!

Over the years, I’ve discovered that spring fever is irresistible – neither parents nor children can withstand its charms! As winter draws to a close, it seems that all of creation comes out of hibernation, eager to celebrate the glory of God.

Spring gives us so many reasons to rejoice. While we intrinsically know that every day God gives us is precious and full of promise, opening our eyes on a sunny spring day awakens something deep within our soul and spirit and makes us want to sing:

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

Spring is a season for prayer and praise. At Easter, we humbly thank God for the incredible gift of His Son, praise Jesus for His victory over sin and death, and celebrate His resurrection and ascension into Heaven.

Spring is a time to renew our hearts and focus on the bountiful blessings God has given us. As we gather with our families this season – at mealtime, for prayer, for devotions – let’s remind one another that:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived on Earth, wrote:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the Heaven.– Ecclesiastes 3:1

This spring, let’s draw near to God by taking daily walks around our neighborhoods with our children and enjoying the wonderful world that God has created. Let’s soak in the views of the magnificent yards that are bursting with fragrant fruit and colorful flowers and ask our kids which ones are their favorites and why. Let’s listen to the joyful songbirds that lift our spirits with their melodious tunes and search with our kids for their nests (carefully, so mama and babies are safe). Let’s feel the clear blue sky as it radiates warmth from the brilliant sun and enjoy time outside with our families!

Let’s also reach out to friends and neighbors, renewing old friendships and making new ones. Let’s remember to pray as a family for the people we encounter and ask God to open our eyes to those in need. When we see someone who is lonely or sad, let’s converse and show we care. When we see someone who is hungry, let’s conspire together with our kids and bring them something delicious to eat. Let’s encourage our children to be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others as well. Often, our kids will see and hear things that we won’t, which pleases God tremendously.

Spring is the perfect time to simplify and streamline our lives. Let’s identify and clear out the physical, emotional, and spiritual clutter that holds us back and keeps us from fulfilling all of the good things God has ordained for our lives.

• What physical possessions are we clinging to that we no longer need? Who can we bless with our excess possessions? If the garage is filled with bikes and scooters that are too small for our growing kids, let’s share them with others!
• What activities and relationships do we need to let go of so that God can do a new thing in our lives? Maybe we need to shed something good to make room for something even better!
• What people in our lives are in need of forgiveness and restoration? What can we do today to begin that process? Let’s sit down with our kids and talk relationships. What friendships (or broken relationships) could use some maintenance or repair?

When we pray for wisdom and do the things that God places on our hearts, we teach our children invaluable lessons on how to maintain good relationships with others and live godly, unencumbered lives.

Finally, spring is a season for fun! Let’s cherish every precious moment you have with our families and friends. We can plan a few special outings that everyone can enjoy, such as trips to the zoo, local gardens, and national parks where everyone can get fit, share time together, and bask in God’s beautiful creation. Or, pack a picnic lunch and savor the experience. Let’s count our blessings as we pray over every meal!

And, at the end of these long and exciting spring days, when it’s time to tuck our kids in bed, why not delight them with one more blessing – a book that celebrates the gifts of each day?

The World Is Awake, A Celebration of Everyday Blessings by Good Morning America News correspondent Linsey Davis with Joseph Bottum provides parents and kids with a joyous romp through an ordinary day in a young child’s life – a day filled with the love and magnificent world of our Creator! This lyrical, rhyming story helps young children feel safe and joyful as they are cradled in the hands of God. Paired with bright and engaging illustrations by Lucy Fleming, this book inspires children to be aware of and thankful for God’s many blessings that surround us in our daily lives.

This is a wonderful story to share with our kids!

This is the day the Lord has made.
A butterfly floats through the sun and the shade,
while dragonflies flit past the flowers and trees
and grasshoppers hop in the soft morning breeze.

Your Turn

What are your family’s favorite activities to do in the spring? How can you share the love of God and the magnificence of God’s creation as you’re participating in these activities? Please take a moment to share your ideas in the comments!

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