The Hope of New Beginnings

Embracing the Rhythms of Spring & the Hope of New Beginnings.

As the frost begins to thaw and the days slowly grow longer, there’s a certain magic in the air here in Michigan. March feels like a gentle promise of rebirth—like nature herself is stretching, shaking off the cold grip of winter, and preparing for the bloom that’s just around the corner. And as the land begins to wake, I find myself waking too. I feel it in my bones, a quiet stirring, a longing for new growth and fresh energy. It’s a feeling of coming back to life.

Winter was hard this year. As is often the case with the darker, colder months, there were trials—moments when the weight of it all felt too heavy to bear. In the stillness of winter, it’s easy to feel isolated, stagnant, even a little bit lost. But just as the seasons have their necessary cycles, so do we. We must go through these seasons of rest, of recovery, to prepare for the growth that’s about to bloom.

The beauty of this time, though, is that the trial, the quiet, the struggle, all serve a purpose. They shape us. Strengthen us. Build in us the resilience to handle the busy seasons that are soon to come. In the midst of the cold, I’ve found myself more dependent on my faith than ever before. Like the bare branches waiting for the promise of new buds, I too have found strength in trusting the process—the process of renewal, of leaning on Jesus and the peace He provides when life feels heavy.

Much like the flowers and plants that will soon be planted at Bede’s Blooms, I’m starting to feel the stirrings of life again. The seedlings we’ve been nurturing indoors—those little whispers of potential—will soon find their place in the soil, and this little farm of ours will once again be full of life and busy with the work of tending to God’s creation. And like those seedlings, I too am finding my roots strengthened, preparing for the season ahead.

What’s fascinating, though, is that some of the flowers we grow require a period of extreme cold before they can bloom beautifully and prolifically. Certain varieties, like lavender, delphinium and tulips, must undergo a process called cold stratification. This means that they need a prolonged period of cold, a time of dormancy, in order to break dormancy and trigger the germination process. Only after this cold rest can they grow to their full potential and deliver the vibrant beauty that makes them so special.

In the same way, we sometimes need those difficult, cold seasons in our lives to grow into the fullness of what we are meant to be. The trials, the hardships, the quiet moments of rest—they aren’t wasted. Just like these flowers, we too need time to rest and recover so that we can bloom in a way that is more beautiful, more resilient, and more capable than ever before.

This is the rhythm of life. The seasons shift, sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly, but always with purpose. The rest of winter makes the coming of spring all the more vibrant. Just as a flower must spend time in the dark, cool soil before it can burst into bloom, we too must go through seasons of stillness to appreciate the vibrant life that comes with the next chapter.

As I reflect on the trials of winter, I’m reminded of the beauty in the wait. That quiet, sacred space where we recover, heal, and grow stronger, all while trusting that spring is on its way. We’re never stagnant, never without purpose—even in the toughest of times. It’s in those very struggles that we learn resilience, perseverance, and a deeper reliance on our faith.

And now, with a hint of sunshine warming my skin for the first time in what feels like ages, I can already feel the difference in my spirit. The simple joy of sunlight after so many gray days reminds me of the hope that comes with every new season. This is the time to let go of what no longer serves me, to embrace new growth, and to trust that the best is yet to come.

Soon, life will pick up its pace again—juggling the demands of being a wife, a mother, working full-time, and running this little flower farm. But with that busyness comes beauty. It’s the same rhythm of life that we see reflected in the garden: a time for rest, a time for planting, a time for blooming, and a time for harvest.

And so, just like the flowers that will soon grace this land, I too am blooming again—stronger, more resilient, and filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Spring is coming, and with it, the promise of new beginnings, fresh growth, and the beauty of life all around us.

If you’ve felt like you’ve been in a winter season, know that your spring is coming too. Trust that the trials are not in vain. Lean into the hope, lean into your faith, and know that you, too, are being transformed. Just like the garden, you are being made ready to bloom. And when that moment comes, it will be beautiful.

Here’s to blooming again.

With gratitude and floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms + Co.