In the midst of this coldest, snowiest Indiana winter in twenty years, I’m thinking about spring.
Two years ago I planted some bulbs. I’d almost forgotten about them, till I saw their little green tips pushing up through the earth early the next spring. Then I couldn’t wait to see them bloom.
The whole season of spring is like that for me – one great anticipation after another, as fruit trees begin to bud and blossom, as flowers show their amazing colors and grass greens up. I’m ready!
I love living in a climate with four seasons. It’s a constant, living reminder of the story that gives meaning to my life. In the Christian story there is always life ahead of us. Always possibility. Always hope for wholeness.
Jonathan Kozol, a compassionate humanitarian and writer once asked a Catholic priest what is the meaning of resurrection. The priest said, “Have you ever fallen down and gotten back up? That is resurrection.”
The Christian story is about hope for new beginnings. It’s about believing that when we fall we can get back up. When we find ourselves going in the wrong direction, we can turn back around. It’s about trusting that God is always ready to welcome us home with open arms.
God is always ready to welcome us.
I can’t wait for spring – its beauty, its freshness. Even the anticipation of spring reminds me of all of life’s resurrections, reminds me of all the ways God welcomes me home again.
