"April Showers Bring May Flowers": A Season of Growth

If “April showers bring May flowers” were the title of this chapter in my life, the pages would be filled with a rollercoaster of emotions, displaying pain, heartbreak, discouragement, strength, resilience, and power. A bittersweet story beginning with despair and ending in hope.

When The Rain Won’t Let Up

Whew—let me tell you, the downpours from the first quarter of the year have done more than just fall. They've stirred something within me. I can feel new growth sprouting deep in my soul. As the year continues, I’m choosing to let that rain (the trials, the stretching, and the pruning) nourish me. While it may be uncomfortable, I’m blossoming into the bright, bold, confident, strong, virtuous woman that God has created me to be…and then some!

"God's Word is like precipitation. When it hits your soul, it produces something that you never knew you had." – Sara Jakes Roberts

Let The Rain Do It’s Work

This season is all about growth. Not just in the feel-good, light-hearted way, but the deep, soul-wrenching, character-building kind. April brought me to my knees, quite literally. I’ve had to surrender control in ways I wasn’t prepared for: control over my time, my marriage, my children, my schedule—my life. And let’s be real, it’s May now, and I’m still wrestling with it. Lord, help me!

But here's what I'm learning: there’s beauty in the surrender. I’m learning to live in the moment. Not constantly fixating on the future or living in the illusion of perfection. I'm letting go of the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations. Because truthfully, life as a stay-at-home mom of six (two of whom are teens and two of whom are toddlers) means embracing the unpredictability of each day.

You might be thinking, "Sis, how do you do it all?”

Great question! The honest answer...I don’t. By God’s grace, I’m still standing. I can NOT do anything without the Lord’s strength and guidance.

Finding Strength in the Surrender

I’ve learned that while I may not have full control over my life, I can still build structure, set boundaries and plan with purpose.

That’s where routines, rhythms, and habits come in.

Let me be real with you—the way you start your morning sets the tone for everything that follows.

It’s a simple truth, but it hits hard. If you're constantly overwhelmed, always behind, or feeling like there's never enough time, it might be time to take a hard look at your habits and routines.

I’m speaking from experience here! I've carried unhealthy habits most of my life. So, this mindset shift hasn't been easy. It’s still one of my greatest challenges by far.

I won’t pretend to have it all figured out—far from it. But I have learned a few lessons that are helping me show up with more grace and intention each day. If you’re ready to start building better habits too, here’s what’s been helping me:

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset

Transformation starts in the mind. To become the woman God created me to be, I have to let go of my natural (carnal) way of thinking and adopt a believer's mindset, one rooted in faith, discipline, and grace. The Bible tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” - Romans 12:2.

We are what we consume, physically, mentally, and spiritually. So, I ask you: What are you feeding your soul regularly?

Are your inputs (music, TV, conversations, social media) building you up or tearing you down?

We must be mindful that what we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear will take root in our hearts. That influence shows up in our thoughts, our words, and our responses. Whew—that’s a whole post on its own!

Step 2: Create a Morning Routine That Fills You

For me, starting the day in God’s presence is essential. That means reading the Bible, journaling, reflecting, and praying. It fills me up from the inside so that I can pour out love, patience, and light to those around me.

I’ve also found that speaking God’s Word as affirmations helps me step into the day with purpose, instead of frustration or fatigue. When I start aligned with Him, His light shines through me.

Step 3: Build Healthy Habits

One habit I’m hoping to accomplish is waking up one to two hours earlier than my household. Yes, I know!  (You should see my face as I’m writing this 😬). It will most definitely be a sacrifice, but well worth it in the end.

That time will allow me to WAKE & PRAY so that I can CONQUER my day. When you rise early with intention, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish before the day even gets going.

Progress Not Perfection

This fall, I’ll be embracing my new and improved morning routine. And since it takes at least 21 days to form a habit, I’ll be back to share how it’s going and to give you a peek into my daily rhythm. The rain may have poured, but I can finally see the flowers starting to bloom.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

We’re all growing through different seasons, but there’s power in sharing what’s working. Do you have habits or routines that have transformed your life? I’d love to hear them! Drop a comment below so we can learn and grow together.

If this post encouraged or inspired you, don’t keep it to yourself — share it with a friend who could use a little light today. Click the heart to show some love, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

Until next time, Ashley Victorian 💕