About a week ago, we had a great thaw and a taste test of spring, and it was wonderful! I didn't say anything because I didn't quite trust it. My hesitations turned out to be well-founded because it snowed the next day. But today, I have a little more faith in Spring's battle against Winter. We've had three nice days in a row and I think Spring is gaining a foothold! As I walked to my car this morning, I noticed something new in the air. At first I thought it was actually a lack of something in the air. True, it wasn't freezing cold and the air didn't bite your insides with every breath, but that wasn't quite it. As I took another delicious breath, I realized it was the smell of spring! The mud and new growth and everything that is Spring filled the air around me. Once I finally moved beyond the smell, I could hear the birds! Oh, it's a whole new world out here!
It's been a while since I've read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, but I remember towards the end when the White Witch is finally defeated, Winter is defeated along with her. It is a glorious day as the snow begins to melt and Spring slowly takes over. After what seems like a lifetime of Winter, the Narnians were in desperate need of Spring. To say they are overjoyed with the change of seasons would be an understatement. I'm not saying that Winter is our enemy, (see previous blogs for my defense of winter!) but it can definitely wear on one's soul. Perhaps it's in the bundling up in warm clothing or in the hiding inside for warmth and protection, but by the end of a monotonous and frigid season, my very soul and spark of life seems to wane with the fading sunlight. And just like the bulbs that wait in the frozen ground, my spark is eager and ready to spring forth with the warm weather. It feels great to get outside, get a little mud on my shoes and feel the sun's untarnished warmth directly on my skin. I can feel something inside me begin to grow and flourish with the crocus', hyacinths and tulips.
I think it is very appropriate that Easter is usually in the beginning of Spring. The last days of Jesus' life must have been one nasty snow storm. And for Jesus' followers, seeing Him on the Cross must have been the ice storm to end all storms. However, just as the Lord of Heaven and Earth is the only one who can control the winds and the rain, He is also the only one who has power over life and death. God has not left us to live in winter now, just as He did not let His only Son remain trapped in the tomb forever. And if the smell of spring now brings joy to our lives, then seeing Jesus alive again after watching Him die on a cross must have been infathomable ecstasy. Maybe that's part of what Spring smells like. The mud and new growth are brought together with the promise of new life. Even though the great victory over Winter's hold on our life happened 2,000+ years ago, the scent lingers, never to be forgotten, never to be ignored, never to be conqured. The weather may rival conditions from Antartica, but Spring and the promise of new life will always come.
It's been a while since I've read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, but I remember towards the end when the White Witch is finally defeated, Winter is defeated along with her. It is a glorious day as the snow begins to melt and Spring slowly takes over. After what seems like a lifetime of Winter, the Narnians were in desperate need of Spring. To say they are overjoyed with the change of seasons would be an understatement. I'm not saying that Winter is our enemy, (see previous blogs for my defense of winter!) but it can definitely wear on one's soul. Perhaps it's in the bundling up in warm clothing or in the hiding inside for warmth and protection, but by the end of a monotonous and frigid season, my very soul and spark of life seems to wane with the fading sunlight. And just like the bulbs that wait in the frozen ground, my spark is eager and ready to spring forth with the warm weather. It feels great to get outside, get a little mud on my shoes and feel the sun's untarnished warmth directly on my skin. I can feel something inside me begin to grow and flourish with the crocus', hyacinths and tulips.
I think it is very appropriate that Easter is usually in the beginning of Spring. The last days of Jesus' life must have been one nasty snow storm. And for Jesus' followers, seeing Him on the Cross must have been the ice storm to end all storms. However, just as the Lord of Heaven and Earth is the only one who can control the winds and the rain, He is also the only one who has power over life and death. God has not left us to live in winter now, just as He did not let His only Son remain trapped in the tomb forever. And if the smell of spring now brings joy to our lives, then seeing Jesus alive again after watching Him die on a cross must have been infathomable ecstasy. Maybe that's part of what Spring smells like. The mud and new growth are brought together with the promise of new life. Even though the great victory over Winter's hold on our life happened 2,000+ years ago, the scent lingers, never to be forgotten, never to be ignored, never to be conqured. The weather may rival conditions from Antartica, but Spring and the promise of new life will always come.
A few days ago we were treated to the sight of over a dozen bald eagles. Here's one picture, but it hardly tells the story of the afternoon! These birds are magnificent creatures who can fly over fields as though it were nothing but a tuft of grass. It was great to watch them!
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