Michelle Medlock Adams - Springtime for Your Spirit: 90 Devotions of Hope, Joy & New Beginnings

Text copyright 2022 by Michelle Medlock

Adams and Andy Clapp

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by David Ter-Avanesyan

Cover photograph by Shutterstock

Interior by Amber Weigand-Buckley and Alexander Turner #barefacedcreativemedia.

Photos copyright by Canva and Unsplash.

Edited by Nicole Frail

Print ISBN: 978-1-68099-775-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-68099-776-7

Printed in China

For my sister, Martie Medlock Spaulding. I am so grateful that God gave me you as my big sissy. Just like Springtime brings the sunshine back to Indiana, your very presence lights up a room, Mart. You are called for such a time as this. Love you!

Michelle Missy Medlock Adams

To Coach Biles,
You touched my life and made me believe I could do anything in life. You fought for me when I needed someone to stand up and fight. Thank you for those marvelous Spring memories of tennis courts, overcoming obstacles, and learning how to win at life.

Andy Clapp

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM MICHELLE

I want to thank my wonderful agent, Cyle Young, for always believing in me and encouraging me when I have my crazy writer moments. Im so grateful for you and for my Serious Writer family. I love that we get to do life together.

Im grateful to Pastor Andy Clapp, my coauthor on this devotional. You are without a doubt the most amazing representation of humility and service to others that Ive ever encountered. You always go the extra mile for people, spreading the love of Jesus everywhere you go. (We need to make bracelets that say WWADWhat Would Andy Do?)

And, to my amazingly patient and wonderful husband, Jeff, for always being my biggest cheerleader and encouraging me to do what God has called me to do. Im so thankful for you and the way that you love me. I am one blessed woman.

And, lastly, to my Heavenly Father... for without You, God, I would be lost. Thank You, Lord, for saving me, for loving me unconditionally, and for all of the many blessings Youve given me. You are an awesome God.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM ANDY

Andy would like to thank his family for all of their support. He also wishes to thank Michelle Medlock Adams for this opportunity to work together and his church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, for their unwavering support. He appreciates you, the reader, and is eternally thankful to his agent, Cyle Young, the Serious Writer family, and his former tennis coach, Kevin Biles. Thank you to Nicole Frail for your support and help on this project and thank you to all of those who have taught at Writers Conferences such as Blue Ridge, Florida Christian Writers Conference, and the North Carolina Christian Writers Conference. So many people have poured into this work and for each one, Andy is forever grateful.

table of contents

Ive learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

MAYA ANGELOU

MICHELLE

new growth,

NEW SEASON

THAT WAS REALLY GOOD TODAY, I SAID TO MY OLDER SISTER AS SHE FINISHED TEACHING THE ONLINE BIBLE STUDY WED BEEN SHARING ON FACEBOOK. WANT TO GO TO LUNCH?

Sure, she said, grabbing her purse.

It had only been about three months since my brother-in-law passed away from COVID. It was unexpected, and horrible, and heartbreaking. My sister had been very strong throughout the entire ordeal, but I knew losing her precious husband was the most devastating thing shed ever faced. As we headed out her front door, my sister gasped.

Look, she said, pointing to the little green sprouts, barely visible, next to her front steps. My hostas are coming back!

I squinted. Yes, I see them! I think we can officially say that Spring has sprung, I joked.

Its about time, she said.

I could hear the emotion in her voice. Winter 2020 had been colder and darker on so many levels. We not only craved Spring; we desperately needed it. We needed to see new growth poking through the ground. We needed to feel the warmth of sunshine on our faces. We needed to hear the birds chirping. We needed it all. Of course, none of those things would bring back my brother-in-law, but the changing of seasons brought with it the promise of better days ahead. And every day since the afternoon those little hostas made their appearance has seemed a bit brighter and more hopeful.

If 2020 has taught us anything, its taught us that life is precious, that every moment is a gift, and that Jesus is still good in the midst of bad times.

Just like those little hostas that were dormant for a season and sprang to life at the appointed time, so will we. If youre having a hard time right now; if youve recently suffered a great loss; or if youre still in that dormant seasonhang in there. Know thisGod hasnt forgotten you, and He is right there with you through every season. Remember, we often grow the most during those dormant times so trust the process and hold onto the hope you have in Jesus. Your Springtime is coming.

plant the word

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19, NLT)

pray the word

Thank You, God, for loving me and sticking by me through every season. Help me to trust You even when I cant see anything but darkness. Help me to have faith even when I cant feel Your presence. And help me, Lord, to be sensitive to others who might be experiencing loss. Let me show them Your love. Amen.

work the word

Do you know someone who is suffering great loss right now? Its difficult to know what to do or say when someone you love is grieving, but experts agree on a few helpful things you can do.

Rather than say the generic, Call if theres anything I can do, make a specific offer to help. For example, say: Could I go grocery shopping for you? or Would it be helpful if I stopped by and did some cleaning for you?

Rather than ask the standard, How are you? which will probably generate the automatic (but nonauthentic) response, Im fine, ask: Are you sleeping at night? or Are you overwhelmed with visitors? Or Would you like some company?

Most importantly, dont just say, Im praying for you, in a flippant way. Actually take the time to pray for that person every single day. You might even ask if they would like you to pray with them at that very moment.