The darkest seasons often yield the best fruit.
Last week, I read the above sentence on someone’s Instagram story. Given that stories have a runtime limit of 15 seconds, it’s rare that a post stays with me long after its shining moment. But this one did.
A few days per week, I have the opportunity to meet with a client for lunch. Our work together began in February, and February in Atlanta may very well be the bleakest time of year (not to mention the record rainfall we’ve experienced over the last several months).
When I met with my client at our usual meeting place last Thursday, it was a gorgeous spring day: 77 °F, sunny with blue skies, fluffy white clouds, low humidity…absolute perfection. As I glanced over to the left, I saw something I had not seen before in the months we’ve been working together – brilliant spring-blooming shrubs that literally took my breath away. It seemed as if these flowering bushes sprung overnight!
And there it was, my lesson for the week. The past year has undoubtedly been the darkest season in my recovery journey. I’ve experienced painful disappointments, uncovered hard truths and walked through uncomfortable situations. But you know what? I bet I’ll look back on the past year as being one of tremendous growth.
One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.
—Sigmund Freud
How precious that I could enjoy this moment with my client last Thursday. We even took photos of the vibrant blooms. We stopped to admire them and appreciate their fragrance and beauty. And deep in my heart, I knew it was a Godwink—a reminder to endure life’s dark seasons. They often bear the greatest fruit.