The First Day of Spring
That was yesterday, March 20th……and Spring has sprung! How sweet it is! As spring begins, the length of our days increase dramatically in most regions. If you live in Austin, TX, you’d know the highs and lows of the most dramatic weather that accompanies each season.
We get enamored by the changing of the leaves on trees that go from fiery reds and oranges….to no leaves at all. Those trees just spent the entire winter with bare branches. Now, all of sudden, those same bare branches are starting to sprout. Soon our Texas bluebonnets will be in full array! I love watching this beautiful transition.
We have Canadian family coming this week to Austin. They have taken the severe cold and snow with tenacious strength but now they are ready for our Austin warmth for a few days. The photo here is what they’ll be leaving behind in Winnipeg. So, of course, they’re ready for some Texas heat. We’re pleased we can comply! Our highs this week will be in the 80s.
At our community, we have areas designated for individual gardens. I was delighted when one of our residents planted lots of herbs. He plants it to share with all of us. My fav is basil that I enjoy in my caprese salads! It’s not new to us. We wait with expectancy for Spring because of the NEW that starts revealing itself. Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it! I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God is always in motion which tells us He is always up to something new! What He did yesterday was great, but today is a NEW day. I think He is always conjuring up ways to amaze and surprise us. The seasons are a perfect example of the daily mercies He brings to us. Winter changes into spring, spring to summer, and summer to fall. And we, too, are constantly in motion — we are growing and changing.
Aren’t we so thrilled that we aren’t just one-season-people? Always in the same-O, same-O of life?
Like the plants and trees, our lives are also seasonal. And, when we are unwilling to accept change and growth, we become stagnant in our physical, spiritual, and mental state. To come into a new season and to grow in our faith, we must let go of the old one. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
One of the many lessons of life is to be willing to let go. Whew! That’s not an easy one, especially when we’re faced with letting our little ones start to school, or for our high schoolers to go off to college or get married and leave the nest. And neither is hanging on to past hurts and struggles, and past relationships. Yes, we do feel losses for a while in those times of life, but we should NEVER allow ourselves to stay there. To grow and celebrate every season of life, is to be willing to go to a NEW SEASON.
As Spring surfaces, we can see God’s reminder to let go of the old things and expect the new things He’s wanting to do in our lives. With great anticipation, we can EXPECT that there are good and beautiful things to come.
As the flowers are being resurrected to new life, the trees are sprouting from what seemed to be a lifeless state, the green grass is peeking through the brown remains of winter, may we SPRING FORTH in fresh, new strength and vitality that comes from taking off those grave clothes, and putting on garments of praise and joy!
It’s a new day. It’s a new season. It’s time for great expectation that this will be the best, most blessed day, and times of our lives!
Love and blessings to all…..Donna