Spring is my favorite time of year because it’s so full of promise. Although it’s been a little late this year, spring brings the promise of warmer weather. The warmth, in turn, brings the promise of new and renewed life as new seeds germinate and older plants wake up from their winter nap. Animal babies take their first wobbly steps in the sunshine, and gardeners begin to till and plant, claiming the promise of a good harvest.
In spite of the many springs I’ve experienced, I’m still surprised when its promises are fulfilled. I know the trees will get new leaves, at least those that haven’t succumbed to the drought, but I’m always a little bit awed the first time I realize I can no longer see the neighbor’s house across the creek because the trees are dressed in fresh spring greenery.
This year we got an extra surprise. David has cleared the brush and most of the deadwood all the way back to the edge of the creek, and we have dogwoods. The trees themselves are pretty scraggly, but they are in full bloom and are absolutely beautiful. My irises are budding, too–another surprise since I neglected them shamelessly after I broke my ankle last July. In addition, my day lilies have all come back, and they even brought some new offshoots with them.
Also by Linda: Doubt and Certainty…Does it Have to be One or the Other?
My vegetable garden hasn’t yielded many surprises yet, but it still holds lots of promise. The garlic I planted in the fall looked a little frost bitten after the freezing rain last month, but after this week’s rain, it has really perked up. Our resident gopher will be pleased about that and also with the fact that I planted enough that he can have his share and still leave plenty for us. My spinach is coming along nicely, but my onions look a little puny and nothing else has come up. I haven’t planted my tomatoes yet–the squirrels with just have to wait a bit before they start stealing them. I’m looking forward to the promise of a good harvest, even if it turns out to be the harvest of my neighbors who are better gardeners than I am and who love to share.
I’ve been doing a series of blog articles about the names of God from A to Z. The post for “E” was about El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One who keeps His promises even when they seem impossible. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, I’ve been thinking about how surprised the disciples were to find an empty tomb. They must have forgotten Jesus’ promise of new life.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” – John 11:25