As winter goes, ours was mild, but felt harsh due to the pandemic, politics and isolation. One can take just so much winter weather or words. But I sensed we’re on the cusp of spring, after listening to President Biden address our nation with reality and hope through these words: “During this past year there’s been a collective suffering, collective sacrifices, a year filled with the loss of life, and the loss of living, for all of us.” Empathy wrapped reality in hope.
However, hope rooted primarily in government, eventually leaves one despairing for something less dependent on partisanship. Thank God, literally, spring needs no majority vote. It comes when God cues heaven and earth to rise and flourish.
But despite the warmth of today, not much looks like spring. It’s still pretty drab in these parts unless you look closely. I suspect an ear to the ground could reveal rustling sounds, roots spreading, stems muscling up, insects and critters doing their part. Heaven and nature working together, readying small patches of Eden, for God’s annual reminder of what’s possible on earth, and in us.
Which reminds me of the poster I saw in the bedroom of Kate, my ten year old Grand. It posed,”What if everything turns out for the best?” Isn’t that the hope that’s buried in spring and Easter? That out of the worst, good can come? Into darkness, Light? Out of nothing, something more wonderful than we could’ve imagined. And out of a pandemic greater appreciation for life and each other?
There’s a tender scene in The House at Pooh Corner, when Piglet comes behind Pooh and whispers,”Pooh!”
“Yes, Piglet?”, asks Pooh.”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”
The pandemic and politics have left many of us longing for reassurance about life and each other. Who or what’s sure? Spring and Easter remind us that neither winter nor death have the last word. And vaccines eventually send pandemics packing. So take heart, before long we, like Piglet, can touch life and each other again, ” just to be sure.”
But until then, we hold onto Hope, who for many of us is Jesus. And while we wait, we watch for patches of Eden to spring forth out there, and in us. Anything’s possible, including, “everything turning out for the best.” Hope told me so.
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12 Comments
Jan I love every word you write. And hope you give! You really know how to Spring-Ahead …for His glory! ❤️
Thank you, dear Laura. I’m grateful for your encouragement over many years. Keep alert to God’s patch of Eden in you.
Amen! And spring is coming! Crocuses are out here in eastern PA and even saw a bee looking for nectar in them! Soon and very soon.
What a difference six hours south makes when spring comes round. We are all so ready for spring! Thanks for stopping by, dear Jeri
Say Hi to Ron for me..
This so encouraged me tonight. Jan, your words are a balm to my soul! I’m sharing with my girlfriends!
K❤️
What a grand surprise to see your name popup, dear daughter of my MSU friends, Diane and Pat. Thank you for encouraging me through reading and passing this along to your girlfriends. Knowing you, there are many friends out there. Watch for the Eden patch of God’s Surprise Spring in you and others. Love always, Jan
As Bob Jones uesd to say “Plan for the worst and hope for the best”.
Not bad advice. He had a lot of tips for “his preacher boys.”
Looking forward to when our Bible study group can gather once again.”just to be sure of you” and each other.
Your blog made me think of the quote that I love because it captures God’s sovereignty so well!
“Everything will be alright in the end.
If it’s not alright—It’s not the end.”
Looking for & Finding Spring emerging right along with you, Jan!!
Thank you, dear Shirley, for reading and sharing this quote with us.
Jan, as soon as I read your post, I went to Amazon to see if I could order a poster like the one your 10 yo grand has! I could not find it, but I need to hold onto that thought here on earth as well as knowing it will be true for all eternity. I am way too often held hostage by my own fears and “what if’s.” But what if things really DO turn out for the best? YES! Please tell Kate she encouraged your friends today.
And you always encourage me, Maggie, through your posts and honest reflections. I look forward to reading your new book: THIS LIFE WE SHARE.