Regardless of whether you go by the astronomical dates or the meteorological dates, spring has now officially begun. Going on mother nature though it can be rather hit and miss to decide when spring has arrived! By the end of September though, the natural environment around begins to really show the signs of spring.
The seasons are important to our lives and the physical changes around us that we experience throughout a year remind us that our own lives too have different seasons.
Spring is a especially hopeful season and with this in mind, below are a few reflections you might like to spend some time with as we embrace the change of season. Let the flowers, blooming trees, longer days and even unpredictable weather speak a renewed hope in your own life.
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created spring.”
Sir Bernard Williams
from the ground: a poem
If ever
you were
to admire
the spring-blooming trees
may you see
much more
than flowers,
and rustling
green leaves.
may you start
to see history
roots tied
deep-in
the dirt
for trees,
do not bloom
from clouds,
but from the ground,
the root,
the earth.
Morgan Harper Nichols
Embrace the hopeful nature of Spring
Open the windows
… as the weather begins to warm, enjoy the opportunity for the house to air after the winter months
Get outside
… go searching for visual reminders of nature inspire you.
Give your home a spring clean
… discard the things that don’t illustrate hope & joy
Head into the garden
… plant a herb garden, germinate some vegetable seeds etc.
Plan a picnic
… enjoy the spring produce that is becoming available
Spend some time in prayer
… embracing the gift of a new season (a prayer and song are provided below)
A Prayer: The Hope of Spring
God, thank you for Spring and the hope of warmer, longer, brighter days. Thank you for the coming of growth and life and birth.
Thank you that things are coming awake in the world.
This is what our calendar says, and we do see some signs that it is real.
But we also still struggle with the residual layover of winter.
Now we ask that you bring into reality all that belongs in this season.
Your word says that we will have provision, and hope, and joy, and health and loving relationships here and now in this life.
We ask that what belongs in this season would become actual in our practical lives. We hope in you and in your promises. We hope in your gift of Spring.
– Author Unknown sourced from Xavier University