At 12:57 pm EDT, spring 2014 arrived today. You know, it seems that spring used to always arrive on March 21st, and then it seemed like it was always on the 22nd, but this year, it’s today, March 20. I hope that it’s not spring in name only, but that the weather we associate with the freshness of spring actually starts happening as well. I think that throughout the country, we can pretty much agree that we are anxious for winter to be over and for the new season to begin.
We have already been receiving fliers in the mail telling us about all the good deals on mulch and spring planting items. And we also have received material on spring cleaning and all the other tasks we commonly associate with this season. But let’s be straight here – one day it is ghastly cold and the next day I see people out in shorts and sandals. It is quite the unusual winter – what with the polar vortex and all.
Our new home is on a small lake. We are at the south end of the water and since we have moved in, all we have seen is ice – until several days ago. Now, all the ice is gone and each day we anxiously count to see if more swans have decided to make this their home. So far, we have seven! And the ducks – we have a number of ducks on the water and it is just great to watch and listen to the sounds of nature as the season begins.
When I get up in the morning and let Lexie out, I can’t believe the cacophony of sounds that greets us. I remember, as boys, staying at our cousin’s home in Park Ridge and how my brothers and I loved being close to the water. It was the same with their property in northern Wisconsin. But Dad and Mom weren’t water people – my brothers and I never had the chance to live on water growing up. So it is a real blessing to be able to look out the back and see God’s handiwork everywhere I turn. Pretty soon, if things progress in a normal pattern, we will see ducklings and Janet will be thrilled! I wonder if we will have any cygnets… Those are baby swans – but I didn’t know that – I had to look it up…
The point of all this is that spring is a time of new beginnings after the season of hibernation during the winter. The fast growth of summer gives way to the harvest of the fall, finally giving the farmers a rest as we entered the winter months. Now, in God’s amazing way, we are about to experience the new birth of spring and the promise of God that comes each year. Before you know it, we will be attending picnics, outdoor concerts and a multitude of outdoor activities that will usher us into summer.
The verse for this evening is from James 5:7, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” I think patience is one thing that we could all use more of. After all, we wish our lives away instead of enjoying the moment in front of us. Especially when we have experienced a winter such as the one that we have just completed. So we should sit back and relish all that God gives us. Soon enough, spring will be here – not only on the calendar but in climate as well.
My encouragement this evening is that in God’s time, all His plans will come to pass. It’s important to acknowledge that it’s not our timing that matters at all – it’s His timing. My prayer is that you will give up control and enjoy the moment. God has more surprises in store for us that any of us can possible imagine. But we have to slow down and be patient. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace….