Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Real Strength Comes Through Enduring Hardships

Janet Lee Barton here--Can you believe the winter we've all had? From coast to coast, border to border, I think this is one of the worst winters I've seen in a while. Between freezing temps, snow and ice, horrible traffic jams and electrical outages, one can begin to wonder if Spring will ever get here.

I planted pansies in the fall, but before they had a chance to really get going, in blew the winds of winter! Then it warmed up and they perked up. Then it got really cold again...blanketing them with snow or ice or both, over and over again. I watched as they peaked out from it all and then hid again--numerous times. But with the above normal temperatures we've had in the last few days, they have begun to perk up,  even opening a few new blossoms.

These delicate flowers are so much stronger than they appear. Kind of like some of our heroines from our hero's point of view.  But give them some hardships and watch them blossom! 


That's what I try to show in the stories in my LIH Boardinghouse Betrothal series. Women who've become stronger for what they've gone through in their pasts. Look for Elizabeth's story, A Home For Her Heart, in September and Rebecca's story, no title yet, next spring.  I'm working on it now and loving every minute of it.

I hope wherever you are, Spring comes quickly!

18 comments:

  1. We could sure use a quickly arriving Spring here in Chicago!

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  2. How wonderful to see your pansies in bloom! I get excited every year by spring's first blossoms. After this year, they will be especially sweet.

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  3. I think I'm becoming more like the hearty pansies! Thanks for this wonderful reminder, Janet Lee!

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  4. Great post, and especially fitting on this cold March day. Bring on springtime!

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  5. Thanks for stopping by, Allie, Christine, Lenora and Julie! Those pansies are something! I have no doubt now that they'll survive this next round of winter we're expecting!
    I hope I'm becoming more like them too, Lenora! :)

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  6. Janet, thanks for the great post and reminder about how we can overcome adversity. Out here in the Arizona desert, we've been spared the harsh winter. When January was so nice, I was sure that we would pay for it in February. Well, February is almost over, and we have yet to see anything that one would consider even the slightest bit wintry. Last year we had snow in February here, so this year has been remarkably warm. I played tennis this morning in only a tennis skirt and a short-sleeved shirt.

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  7. So I should appreciate this cold? Is that what you're saying? :) Thanks for the great post, Janet.

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  8. I love your metaphor, Janet. We are all stronger, I hope, because of the hardships we've faced.

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  9. Janet - thanks for the great post. I love the analogy you used about heroines being strong like the pansy.

    I hope I'm growing in my strength as well.

    Each spring those first blooms fill me with hope and anticipation.

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  10. Thanks for stopping by Merrillee, Regina, Robin and Terri! Tennis, Merrillee! How fun. I'm from New Mexico and I've been keeping up with their weather. We've been colder in Oklahoma this year than they have for the most part. Love that part of the country! Enjoy all that warm weather for the rest of us! :)

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  11. What a great post, Janet Lee! Even though hardships may not be pleasant, they can make us stronger as long as we trust in God. I am hoping to catch up with your boardinghouse series sometime soon.

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  12. I love your segue from your pansies to your heroines! And you know how much I enjoy your boardinghouse girls. All best, and I look forward to the next one.

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  13. Love this post, Janet! I bought a packet of pansy seeds today. I love them.

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  14. Thanks so much for stopping by, Diane, Jacqueline and Rhonda! Pansies have become my favorite flower-especially after watching them this winter!

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  15. Hi Janet! Sorry I'm late stopping by today, but I enjoyed your post and seeing your pansies. I love pansies---and as you pointed out, they're heartier than they look! Hoping everyone will have nice spring weather soon--I know we'll all sure appreciate it when it arrives!
    Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo

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  16. Janet,
    Your pansies look better than mine! :)

    Lovely post!

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  17. Can't wait to see spring flowers up here in the Great White North where snow still covers the ground and it's minus fifteen...Celsius. Let me see, that's not as bad as it sounds to you...5 F. Okay, that still sounds bad! ;)

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