Spring

Spring has sprung - in some places anyway.  This weekend, we took a ride with some friends and in three hours passed through rain, sleet, snow, sunshine and a beautiful rainbow.  Having experienced various weather conditions in such a short span, we took the rainbow as God's promise that spring is definitely on its way - as usual!  This year it just seems to be taking its time. 


 
Every year about this time, daffodils, crocus, singing birds and tulips here and there announce that the deadness of winter is being replaced again by new life.  Delicate light green new leaves sprout on what looked like dead branches and folks begin to spend time planning their plantings for the summer.

Me too!  I've been thinking about the little garden near the main entrance of our mountain home.  I drew it on a napkin as we flew home from a seminar last week, and pictured the colorful blooms surrounding our three wooden bears - Mama, papa and baby. Our butterfly bushes are hopefully springing to life again, and I look forward to the winged activity that surrounds them when the blooms appear.  Our Blue spruce trees will have their soft new growth in a couple of weeks, and the large cedar beside our hillside driveway will have a bench placed beneath it and perhaps a few flowers that do well in shade planted nearby.  I hope to plant something nice in three huge pots we will take from Arizona to the mountains, so that there will be some color on our deck. We sit there in the cool early morning with our cups of hot tea - our special time of the day to enjoy the crisp, clean air, plan our day and listen to the sounds of the nature that surrounds us.


 
There is something very special about each season, but spring has an emotional component that is different than the other three seasons. It's a time of hope, of birth, of reassurance that God is in His heaven and all is right with the world.  Even in this time of strife everywhere, there's something about a cheery daffodil, a pansy's perky face and the sweet chirping of birds who have been away or hiding for the winter, that says to me that God is still in charge, the seasons change on time, life springs even thru the winter's snow and God will still take care of his children.
 
It can be easy to get discouraged listening to and watching the news. Fears for the future can pop up out of nowhere, just like the crocuses through the snow.  But if you find yourself in that state - wondering what will become of the world around us and the people in it, just go out in God's glorious fresh air, find some spring flowers, and be reminded that God is still in control.