The First Day of Spring!

     Spring is the time of year when new growth abounds. I was inspired to write in my book Spring: Connecting with God: I am constantly amazed whenever I drive through town or walk down the street and see new life, witnessing first-hand the beautiful creation God has given us to enjoy.”
     Spring is my favorite time of year, so it’s not surprising that I have a garden. I turned my garden, but still need to turn over the soil at my mother-in-law’s home. I already have kale and spinach planted. I will also plant lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, beets, cucumbers, okra, watermelons, pumpkin, and squash.
     I plant flowers in my yard. Some of my favorites such as daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, apricot and forsythia are already out. Redbuds are appearing; tulips, Daisies, roses, crape myrtles and black-eyed susans will come later. I enjoy the brilliant yellow early in the spring. Later spring brings shades of blue, purple and lavender. Late spring produces white daises and several colors of roses. I love the variety of colors I observe in this season.
     As I drive down the roads I have always enjoyed the fresh green leaves of spring as they appear on the trees. Recently I have observed and enjoy the different colors in the buds which make trees look like they are flowering, or showing off autumn leaf colors.
     I could allow the distractions of life to deflect the beauty of creation (many do, as they are obsessed with their busyness); I could take all this for granted (yep, every year the same … it is programmed in like clockwork); I could attribute it to a simple function of biology (or botany); or I could, as they say, take time to smell the roses. It is the last that I choose to do.
     And as I take time to smell the roses, and see the colors, and stand in amazement of life springing forth before me, I also take time to thank The Creator: for all this did not happen by evolution or by accident, but by intention.
     Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. (Psalm 85:11-13)
     He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-- bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees. (Psalm 104:13-17)
     I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. (Psalm 89:1-2)