Awakening

I had my first whiff of freshly mowed grass today;
I almost licked the air.
The scent of hyacinths served upon a dollop of candy tuft,
and I am full like a cat on a sunny rock,
contented and happily fat with spring.

A Mother's Spring

My kitchen windowsill radiates
with the first evidence of spring--
short-stemmed tufts of dandelions
my resident explorer brings.
Tell-tale footprints across the floor,
fingerprints 'round the sink
left by an adventurer
who stopped to get a drink.
Sticks and burrs and pine cones
stashed like jewels in a box,
a treasure bag of dried grass,
buds, blooms, and rocks--
I find them in the dirty clothes,
under the bed, or in a drawer,
forgotten spoils of yesterday's
skirmish of Discovery War.
Time spent peering from a tree
or sprinting across the lawn,
chasing the dog, escaping the dog
(friendships are not easily won).
I thank God for the traces of springtime
scattered throughout our home.
I thank God for the world to conquer,
the freedom in which to roam.
I thank God for bits of nature captured--
the dirt, the bugs, the splinters.
I thank God for discovery of new life
as spring emerges from winter.

"For behold the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land." -Song of Solomon 2:11 & 12a

From March 13, 1990

Springing up

Wake Robin Trillium, pastel 2004

March is here and spring is just around the corner. If we pay close attention to the world around us, we can already see evidence of spring's approach. The tulips and daffodils are well above the ground. The robins are talking about their new homes, and the air itself bears the scent of fresh life growing.

I'm always amazed when I see the first green tips of tulips poke up out of the earth, for often they do so when snow still blankets the yard. The birds usually surprise me each year also, because those who are returning from their winter vacations seem to do so when I'm still shivering from the cold. I usually am concerned about the dogwoods and other budding trees and bushes, because they sometimes seem to jump the gun on spring. I always wonder how they can be so brave when snow is still falling and the temperature is below freezing. They obviously are relying on a greater source of information.

That's faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) It's pushing our heads up through the frozen ground in preparation for a warmer day that we know is coming. It's searching for a nesting place when the wind is still bitter cold. Faith is putting forth the bud while the snow is still falling. Nature is an example for us in springtime.

"See! The winter is past. The rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. The cooing of the doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance...." Song of Solomon 2:11-13

From March 4, 1986