Spring has Sprung!

I'm always thrilled to know that the long winter months are behind me. I just don't like winter. When fall comes around, I feel like it's the beginning of the end. I know this sounds silly, but the older I get the more attached to summer I am.

A couple of years ago, (BC-before Covid), my Secret Santa gave me some tulip bulbs to plant. That is how I know that it's Spring- they are my spring alarm clock! Every year now, I wait with anxious expectation for those bulbs to pop through the ground. I become giddy at the first sign of them. They bloomed about 2 weeks ago. Now, as I walk through my yard, I see all kinds of signs that the seasons are changing. Fresh leaves on the bushes and new growth in my flower garden are sure signs that I can begin to return to myself. I walk every weekend and look for the new things that are popping through the ground- gladiolus, elephant ears, banana tree, rose bushes, mums, clematis, hydrangeas, butterfly bushes- all of these show new growth!

Spring is also a time to reflect on ourselves. Are we like the shrubs and bulbs growing in our gardens? Are we getting new growth and reaching to new heights to bloom? Maybe that metaphor is why I like the warm weather so much. It makes me reflect on myself. It makes me ask myself if I am becoming all that Christ has set out for me.

Am I moving towards what He has set out for me? Am I leaving the world behind to still my busy mind and listen to His calls? Am I putting my faith before my fear and taking the opportunities that he provides me to further His kingdom?

Knowing that He died on the cross to save me and breathe life into my lifeless soul allows me to find the strength to answer the questions. It renews me. It's really simple. Belonging to Him allows me to die to self. Over and over every day. Every time I die to self I'm like one of those flowers in my garden. I get new leaves. Not because of me, but because of Him. He encourages me to become better and new everyday. He allows me to grow. He prunes me, which shapes me for more growth. Even when the pruning is uncomfortable. I will grow bigger and stronger because of the shaping.

In this coming weeks, let's all look at our pruning as a pecan. We all know that the more He trims us, the better we become. God knows all that we don't and can see far beyond our feeble minds. His ways are so much better than our own. What better pecan could we have than this? Happy Spring, friends!