In grade school, my friends and I often read riddles. Clever or silly, we heard the answer, laughed, and groaned, “Of course”.
One riddle I remember is, “What is the only date of the year that gives a command?” I don’t recall my friends’ reaction, but I recall the sensible answer: “March 4th.”
March is the only month associated with movement. Named for the Roman god of war, Mars, March was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. The soldiers advanced. Today, we don’t think of March that way, unless we see moving forward to advance in athletic competitions.
But spring weather in March ushers advancement and growth. Crocuses are early blooms, tulip and daffodil stems push through the soil, and trees bud. It’s an annual wake-up time. With daylight savings time, we advance to more light in the evenings.
Our surroundings “march forth” in color, light, and life. Yard work is active, and we choose seeds to plant according to our climate. As I sat in my sunroom this morning, I looked out at bare trees, knowing in a week or two, I’d see growth and color. My year is advancing.
March is a month of change. Spiritually, we prepare for Easter through directed readings and meditations. In this month of inspiration, we change our focus, grow closer to God, and lean into life. It’s an invitation to experience newness, step out, advance, and move along our life journey.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
Marching forth is putting one foot in front of the other.
What might that look like?
- Advancing in generosity: In spring cleaning projects and clearing clutter, donating items to charity
- Advancing in gratitude: Developing thankfulness for our surroundings so we begin to see the ordinary as spectacular
- Advancing in encouragement: Listening so I can acknowledge and affirm in a conversation so others bloom
- Advancing in intercession: Praying for others
- Advancing in light: Sharing time with others, not rushing to the next project on my list
- Advancing through reading scripture: Asking who God is in a passage and what is He saying to me.
- Advancing in life: Growing through deeper relationships with God and people.
“If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson
March: advancing in life and color, growing, blooming, and influencing.
Once a riddle, now an opportunity.
March 4th.
What’s your one small step to advance today?
Love, love, love this encouraging post. I’ll have to remember that riddles for the kiddos at church too. Spring has always been my favorite season, because it signals a fresh new start from the “standstill” that is often associated with winter. I knew military campaigns resumed in the spring, but never really connected that with the name of the month. Always learning my friend. Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. You are an encouragement not only to me but to those who read your insightful responses. Marilyn
Marilyn, you painted a beautiful picture of hope in this post. I want to “march forth” as an encourager to those I meet and a witness of the joy and peace of Jesus.
That you do, Jeannie:)
Marilyn, I like your list of marching forth. Those elements give us much to think about as we advance!
What a great post, Marilyn! I pray that I’m growing in rest and trust. Blessings!
Cathy, Isn’t in interesting we grown when it may not be visible to others, but we are growing when we rest and trust? Marilyn
Thank you for your encouraging post, Marilyn. I can get overwhelmed with things to do or new things I want to do, but it’s one step at a time. That’s how we March. Thank you!
And, Katy, we march just by getting started as Mark Twain said.
Thanks for encouraging us to march forth!
You’re welcome!
“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” That is profound, Marilyn. Mark Twain was a wise man. With spring arriving soon, this is an ideal time to get started or get back to something we started earlier and gave up on. Rebirth, renewal, rejuvenate–now is the time! Thank you for your encouraging message.
Katherine, I think this applies to our new season of loss as well–putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward even if in only small ways. Marilyn
I love the areas that you list for ways to march forward. Specifically, “Sharing time with others, not rushing to the next project on my list” spoke to me. What a great reminder!
Thank you K.A. So glad this post was meaningful to you. Marilyn
Marilyn, I liked your riddle and your application. March forth in keeping God’s commandments as you so aptly laid out.
Debbie, I can still picture my friends and I reading those riddles! Isn’t it amazing how we can apply what seems incidental and years ago, to living today? Marilyn
What a beautiful post, Marilyn! I never thought of the month of March in this way before. Beautifully written … ❤
Thank you Donna for stopping by and for your comments. Marilyn