I think spring is the best time of year. Many years ago at our diocesan convention we had new voting devices, and to test them before official votes sample questions would be asked. One of those questions was “what is your favorite season”? For several years this question was asked, and each year “fall” came out the unquestionable favorite season. My favorite, spring, was consistently runner up.
I wonder, is it because of the pollen? Recently we have had a regular down pouring of the yellow goodness that stops up sinuses and causes regular headaches. I understand. However, at the same time as the pollen pours upon the earth, the colors of spring appear. The grass begins to green, the trees bud, the azaleas begin to bloom as the dogwoods come to life with blooms of their own. The temperatures begin to rise, the sun becomes a bit more intense, and the world just seems happier.
Then comes the spring fever. For those who enjoy gardening, the urge to turn dirt and prepare the garden is unrelenting. Farmers are even worse, as equipment is pulled out from storage, cleaned up and given once-overs as planters and plows and sprayers are cleaned, lubed, and calibrated.
The spring is the only time of year where many are eager and hopeful to put resources in the ground. Time is invested, money is spent, care is given to either plant a seed or young transplant into the ground with the hope that it will grow, flower, and yield fruit with abundance.
There is a sense of certainty that these investments of our time, talents, and resources will give back more than what is invested. There is a certain hope that the fruit that will be borne will be abundantly satisfying and worth the sacrifice. Spring is the dawn of a new season of life.
When we surrender our lives to the Lord who died for us, in whom we set our faith in hope of life eternal by the work Christ Jesus accomplished, our world brightens, colors emerge, and warmth begins to bring a hunger for growth. We pour out upon the soil of Truth our resources, planting our hopes in the change and growth that we have certain hope will come. We grow, we develop, we begin to bear fruit at the right time. It is a beautiful season of life.
Today’s verse is from John 12:24 (ESV)-
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Heavenly Father, as the warmth of the Sun removes the chill of winter, and as the Light lengthens the days in which we live, encourage us to boldly plant the seeds of hope from the storehouse of surrender that you have placed in our hearts from the dawn of creation; through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Spirit are One God, now and always. AMEN.