Spring cleaning used to feel like disruption. Every year, as the weather softened and the days stretched a little longer, my mom would announce it was time. Not just tidying—but deep cleaning. Walls scrubbed. Rugs washed. Floors polished. Windows washed until they let the light in without resistance. Closets emptied. Drawers turned over. Piles made keep, donate, throw away. As a child, I didn’t look forward to it. It felt like everything was being pulled apart at once. But now, I see something different. Spring cleaning wasn’t just about the house—it was about making space. And that’s exactly what life transitions ask of us. When you’re moving from one season of life to another, it often doesn’t feel like a gentle unfolding. It can feel like everything is being taken out, examined, questioned. What used to fit no longer does. What once felt essential now feels heavy. What you’ve carried for years suddenly asks to be released. Just like those childhood closets, transitions invite ...
SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. The beauty my eyes have been taking in lately feels like a gentle invitation to notice new life—birds building nests and chirping, flowers blooming, and the many shades of green emerging all around. Spring has a way of reminding me that growth is quietly, faithfully happening. Recently, I had the privilege of attending two women’s retreats. It was a sweet and sacred time. I listened as women shared their stories—evidence of deep growth and transformation. Some spoke of difficult seasons the Lord has brought them through, while others are still walking through hard places. Yet, in every story, there was a steady thread: He is present in it all. As these women opened their hearts, connections deepened, and fellowship grew richer. Growth was not only personal, but shared. Encouragement is putting strength into someone’s belly. Three women at the ret...