• Mar. 20, 2008
Welcome Spring
I'd heard the robins were back, but until today, I had yet to see one.
Today God showed me not one, but two! I don't know what it's like at your house, but for me and my family, seeing the first robin of the year is always cause for great excitement! This year's long-awaited sight seemed particularly sweet. Ask anyone who lives here, and they'll undoubtedly tell you that we've had what has seemed like the longest winter in history! But over the past week, the daily temperatures have warmed a bit, and we've experienced a gradual thaw. The tall snow banks which had lined our streets for months have given way to puddles.
I was alone with God when I spotted my first robins this morning. And I know that wasn't by mistake. It was all part of His unique plan for me.
These robins were my Father God's simple yet poignant reminder to me that He keeps His promises; that when my heart feels as frozen as the winter's ground, God is in the business of making all things new. He breathes new life into dormant vines and branches, causing them to bud and break forth in beauty. And He uses the pain and heartache of our lives to cause our roots...our faith...to go down deep; He uses the hard stuff of life to cause us to flourish and radiantly reflect Him.
Today I praise Him for the promise of Spring; His promise to make ALL things new...including me.
"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." Song of Solomon 2:11-12
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• Mar. 2, 2007
Spring has Sprung...
...at least in my heart! It doesn't matter that a couple more inches of snow have fallen in the last few days; it matters not that our boys' winter gear (hats, mittens, boots) are still strewn all over the back stairway due to frequent use; it doesn't matter that it will probably be months till it actually feels like spring.
Nope, as I do every February 28, I put away all my winter decorations. Down came the snowmen prints and knick-knacks. The evergreen wreaths in my windows returned to the closet till the weekend after Thanksgiving. Even my spicy bakery scented candles were put behind closed doors till fall.
Yes, on March 1, my beautiful floral prints, springtime baskets, and eggs make their first appearance. Colorful tulips and hyacinths grace our home. And the aromatic scent of floral candles (lilac is my favorite) fill our noses.
Yes, it's a bit early. Springtime is still a good ways off. But when you live in a climate that experiences winter in all its glory, you need a bit of hope and encouragement this time of year. The temperatures will eventually warm up, the snow will melt, the birds will return, and the tulips will victoriously press their way through the ground.
And one day soon (really), we can joyfully declare,
"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come..." Song of Solomon 2:11-12
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• Oct. 1, 2006
Autumn Weekend
I love fall, and this weekend has simply served as a reminder of all the reasons I love it! It held outdoor activities, crisp, cool weather, a hayride, and a warm, cozy evening with our beloved friends.
Yesterday was our Homeschool Fall Field Day. The dads of our homeschool group gladly accepted responsibility for this activity and ran with it. They did such a great job!
Kindergarten through 6th graders participated in various kinds of races and friendly competition. We'd reserved the track and field of a local high school, and our kids thought it was a blast to run on a "real" track. Events included long distance run, sprint, sack race, softball toss, soccer skills, obstacle course, and broad jump.
The afternoon found my guys at the annual AWANA hayride. They had a great time "out at the farm" with their friends.
As my husband and I awaited our friends' arrival last evening, the sky grew dark and it began to downpour. The rain fell heavy for several minutes, but soon ceased. As our friends pulled up to our house, we were all delighted to look up into the sky and see the most vibrant and brilliant rainbow ever.
I was particularly grateful for this sign from God in the sky. My heart has been burdened and conflicted lately. There's so much that's been weighing heavily on my heart, and I often feel weary. As I looked up in wonder at this beautiful rainbow in the sky, I was reminded that God keeps His promises. His character never changes. He is always the same.
How I thank God for His loving care...for providing me with reminders that I can trust Him to keep His promises.
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• Sep. 19, 2005
Welcome Autumn
Fall begins this week, and with it, my most favorite time of the year! Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the golden hue that overtakes the trees right before they turn their gorgeous shades of red, orange, and yellow. I love the spicy aroma of cinnamon and cloves that fills our kitchen. I love breaking out my sweaters and tramping through the leaves with my family on crisp, cool autumn days. I love making our annual trip to the Pumpkin Farm where we select our pumpkins, weave our way through a corn maze, and bounce along on a hayride.
For whatever reason, I become reminiscent during this time of year. I reflect often on the family traditions created by my parents, as well as the traditions and memories I wish to pass on to our boys. I was studying Psalm 78 today, and I was once again struck by verse 4:
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done."
...and verse 7...
"...so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God,
but keep His commandments."
How I pray that our family traditions continually point to God's faithfulness in the past; His glorious deeds, His might, and all the wonders He's done. As I crunch through the leaves with our boys this fall, I can't help but point them to the Master Artisan. My heart's cry is that our boys will in turn set their hope firmly in God as they recount His works; that they will obediently desire to serve Him with all their hearts.
