Spring's Arrival

I await the first sweet days of spring with impatient desire all year long.  

Well, actually, it is on the first days of fall that I begin to impatiently wait for the warmth of spring soil.  

Before you think me ungrateful or shortsighted, let me quickly assure you that I do appreciate the glory that uniquely belongs to fall. 

But it is for spring that my heart yearns. 

At the onset of September, I know that winter will be tripping over the heels of autumn and that I will be forced to endure three plodding months of snow … of ice … and of arctic temperatures. 

I know that during winter’s polar presence I will be forced to dash from my car to my house while trying not to breathe in the frosty air that threatens to refrigerate every cell in my body. 

When the first day of winter arrives  … I try diligently to be sincerely grateful … but there is just something so achingly cold about the dark days of winter.

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” - Borland

The days of winter drag frigidly by while in my heart there is the craving for the new birth that only spring is able to bring.

I try to wait well during the months known as “winter” but it is spring that is perpetually on my mind.

I try to maintain an attitude of thankfulness but I can’t help but look ahead to the introductory days of spring when earth takes a deep breath in joyful anticipation of flowers, of new birth and of sunshine.

“The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter!” – Selinsky

When the curtains of time are at last pulled back to reveal the third week of March, nature begins the celebration that is delightfully known as “spring”.

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” – Grizzard

I have found that my soul is fed by the beauty that is found only in creation.  When I drink in artistry of my Creator that is viewed through the lens of nature, my thirst is quenched and my heart is at rest.

Spring is the time of year when my heart sings with unequaled joy.

Springs stirs up the unmatched pleasure of nature’s grand display of enchantment… pure enchantment. 

Spring is the moment when the earth giggles are heard in blooms of yellow, purple and pink.

“The earth laughs in flowers.” – Emerson

Winter teaches me to be patient and to learn the vital lesson of waiting well. Autumn has been assigned to tutor me in the fine art of gratitude.

But spring calls me to learn the dazzling lesson of celebration!

Spring teaches me to kick my heels in the air and to whistle a happy tune.

I am enamored by the charm of spring.

“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” – Muir

Spring is the melody while the blooms on every bush are the lyrics – and you and I are invited to sing along!

It is during the months of spring that I experience the extreme pleasure of the Father.  He is painting a divine masterpiece just for me … because I was made for spring and spring was made just for me.

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.

His going forth is as certain as the dawn;

And He will come to us like the rain,

Like the spring rain watering the earth.” – Hosea 6:3 

As I ponder the joyful whimsy of March, April and May – I am more aware of my Father’s presence than ever before. I observe the handiwork of God and my breath is taken away.

The God of spring is the God of me and I am in awe.

The God of new birth is the God of me and I bow my head in wonder.

“The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims the work of His hands.” – Psalm 19:1 

Because there is hope even in the darkest and most chilling days of winter … I know that there is an equal hope for the winter of my soul.

“There is one good thing about this world – there is always sure to be more springs.”- L.M.Montgomery 

When circumstances and situations threaten to freeze the abundance of life – I am reminded that the God who rests in winter is the same God who makes all things new.

“Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.”  Heber

Is it winter in your soul today? Are you paralyzed by the frosty conditions of life? Perhaps it is time for you to hope for spring … to believe for warmth … to anticipate new growth.

Maybe in this moment you should clear away the residue of last year’s pain and plant a new garden of laughter and of melody.

“If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom” – Foveo

The earth is calling you today to proclaim that a new season has begun and that it has begun in you. 

“For behold the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

The flowers have already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.” – Song of Solomon 2:11 -12

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!