🌸 See! The Winter is Past
- Hannah Nesher
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Reflections on Springtime in the Land of Israel
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”— Song of Songs 2:11–13
There is something absolutely breathtaking about springtime here in Israel. After the long winter rains, the land suddenly bursts forth with life, color, fragrance, and song. Everywhere you look, the hillsides are green, flowers bloom in abundance, and the air itself seems alive with beauty and promise.
As I sit in my garden watching the changing of the seasons, my heart fills with gratitude.
Tiny hummingbirds dart about, sipping nectar from the feeders hung in the trees. The metallic blue males chirp and sing their little mating songs, fluttering about in hopes of impressing the females. Their energy and joy seem contagious.
But most of all, I love the sound of the turtle doves.
Their soft, familiar cooing carries me back to the years when I lived in the hills of Judea. Every spring, a pair of doves would build their nest on my windowsill. From my bedroom window, I could watch the tiny eggs hatch and see the fragile baby doves slowly emerge, grow feathers, and eventually spread their wings to fly. It became a yearly reminder of the faithfulness of God and the miracle of new beginnings.
Spring has always been my favorite season.
The weather is perfect — not too hot and not too cold. Like Goldilocks in the story of the three bears, it feels “just right.” The harshness of winter gives way to warmth and sunshine, and the entire land seems to awaken from sleep.
The Bible reminds us that life itself moves in seasons.
“To everything there is a season,and a time for every purpose under heaven.”— Ecclesiastes 3:1
Just as winter gives way to spring, spring to summer, summer to autumn, and autumn back again to winter, our lives also move through changing seasons. Some seasons are joyful and fruitful. Others may feel cold, barren, stormy, or lonely.
There are times when we may feel as though we are stuck in winter — waiting for warmth, waiting for light, waiting for hope to blossom again.
But the seasons always change.
No winter lasts forever.
The rains eventually pass. The sun breaks through the clouds once again. Flowers bloom where the ground once seemed barren. And slowly, almost imperceptibly, life begins to return.
Perhaps that is why the words of Song of Songs feel so deeply comforting:
“The winter is past… the season of singing has come.”
What a beautiful reminder that God brings renewal after difficult seasons. He is the One who causes dead things to bloom again. He brings beauty after sorrow, joy after mourning, and hope after despair.
We cannot judge our entire life by one difficult season.
If you find yourself in a “winter season” today, take heart. Trust that spring will come again. Trust that God is still at work beneath the surface, even when you cannot yet see the blossoms.
One day, you too will hear the sound of the turtle dove again. 🌸🕊️
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that no season lasts forever. Thank You for the promise of new beginnings, fresh hope, and renewed joy. For those walking through a difficult winter season right now, may Your light break through the clouds once again.
Bring healing where there is pain, hope where there is discouragement, and beauty where things once seemed barren. May we trust in Your faithfulness through every changing season of life.
And may our hearts once again hear “the sound of the turtle dove” — the gentle reminder that springtime and new life will come again.
In Yeshua’s name, Amen. 🌸🕊️
Written by Hannah Nesher
May 2026
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