"Spring is nature's way of saying
'Let's party!'
Those of us who live where there are"four seasons," know what it is like to feel as if winter will never end. Granted, at the first snowfall, we are amazed and excited. Yet after months and months of that fluffy, white stuff, snow shoveling and icy streets and sidewalks, well, ladies and gentlemen, we are ready for a change in seasons.
Or at least I am.
It is not an exaggeration to say that I am desperate for spring.
There is still some snow on the ground and the dirt is almost totally frozen, yet I am in search for the first green leaf.
It's possible, no probable, that I am like this every year. I am ready to be outdoors, walking and gardening and feeling the sun's healing powers on my face and heart.
Yet I also know that this waiting for spring coincides with Lent and new beginnings and old and new awakenings.
I truly believe that with each season the good Lord sends my way, the learnings never cease. Just as my word for 2018 is "transform," so does God use each season to help me transform my life and my relationship with Him.
If I am attentive and hear His whisper
If I am willing to follow His lead
If I stop the hurry and scurry and am present in my own life.
Miracles abound in every season.
Just as the ground is rock hard, the snow seemingly endless, and spring a million plus miles away, right around the corner, slowly and ever so slowly, God starts the miracle of spring.
And after a winter in Spokane or Moorehead, Minnesota, just knowing and trusting that there will, again, be a spring...well, it just gives me HOPE.
As my pastor says, "Can I get an 'AMEN' to that?
Each season has its own beauty, yet at this point in the winter any hint of spring brings a "Hallelujah" to my heart and soul.
After all, sweet Annora Grace's new word is "hallelujah."
She walks and runs everywhere, beaming and singing that word.
How could Spring in all its glory not be close behind?
And then yesterday happened.
Bert and I couldn't believe our eyes.
The temperature had risen to a balmy 45 degrees, the snow was starting to melt and we happened to look out our back window as we had a conversation about our gardening plans for this year.
Suddenly we stopped chatting, looked at each other and said, Do you see what I see?"
Everywhere in our frozen tundra garden were robins. Lots and lots of them.
One was even so brave as to get in our bird bath and just wash off every feather, frolic in the water and chirp and chirp to her heart's content.
They were in the hawthorne bush with all of the berries. Chowing down and singing. We counted ten in just that one bush.
And those gorgeous robins weren't quiet about their delight. It was if someone had sent out a message saying...
"Heh! Let's party! Fun time at the Salisbury's. Fly on over. Berries for everyone. All welcome! Hot tub, aka bird bath, will transform your attitude!"
As I watched all of this take place from inside our cozy home, with my dear hubby beside me, I felt my own heart start to thaw. My own breath become lower and deeper. I reached for my beloved Bert's hand.
Bert whispered, "God never disappoints, honey. Even in the hard times, the frozen-over times, He is always there. He sends us HOPE with feathers."
And then I started to cry. I've been doing a lot of that lately. I guess when you are 71 you get to cry whenever you are sad or glad or amazed at God's wonder. After all...
"The beautiful spring came;
and when nature resumes
her loveliness, the human
soul is apt to revive also."
-Harriet Ann Jacobs
Can I get an "Amen!"?
Here's to seeing God's love at every turn!
Here's to transformation and revival of our hearts!
Here's to a thawing of the frozen ground and the frozen
places in ourselves!
Here's to spring and hope with feathers!
God Bless!
Love, Linda
4 comments:
Amen!!
Such vitality in your words! I just want to lean in and soak them up-like that first hint of the warmth of sunshine returning in the spring and you lift your face to fully feel the effects of it. The robins had to have been sheer delight and pure joy- can't wait to see my first one. We're still surrounded by mostly snow and white, but the temps are creeping up into the 40s and the air doesn't feel so brutally cold these days.
I sense the urgency for spring in your words, much like I feel it too. The countdown is on and I can hardly wait! Thanks for the hope filled post! I love the image of sweet Annora singing "hallelujah!
Much love to you and yours!
Yes, welcome spring! Great post and I understand your tears. Blessings.
This post made my heart sing like the Robin's. Like you it's those priceless moments when God's wonder shines in nature that my soul heals. I to can't wait for spring to arrive! Love you Linda!
It is so interesting to see how one's perspective changes based on circumstances.
Hello, my friend. So good to know that spring is in the air for my friends in Spokane.
I mentioned "perspective" at the beginning of my comments because I surmised from reading your blog that seeing robins in your yard is a sign of spring for you. Seeing them in our yard in the spring means something completely different. We know that when we see the robins, that it is still going to be cold weather here. They haven't left here and headed to wherever robins go in the late spring early summer (sounds like Spokane may be one of their destinations!)
But, when we see them, we are a bit daunted.... Cold weather is still hanging around, and those robins are staying here with us in the South until it warms up in "whereverland" to which they are heading.
I smiled.
Yes. You loved seeing the robins because they mean spring is upon you. We love to see them....(because they are lovely)....but we know that when they are hopping around our yard, cold weather is still in our future.
Love you my friend....
J.
Post a Comment