Shari's Sentiments

Spring is upon us, yes and the weather is still quirky, but all around the signs of spring are showing their colors.

This year it seemed that Easter came and went, just too fast. Saint Patrick’s Day was barely over and the bunnies hopped in and out like jack rabbits. Easter was gone, the candy remained in the baskets and the leftover ham still lingered in the refrigerator. The signs of Easter were all around. However, the signs of life are continuing to show themselves.

For many people the bleak blank sights of winter have a way of affecting mood, balance and motivation. We all need color in our lives, we all appreciate color in some form – my favorite color is blue – shades of blue, blue greens, teals, purple blues etc. I truly believe that one needs the soft pastels of spring to lighten the mood and show that hope and life are not dead.

 Just when it seems that the blank, cold gray will never end suddenly the flowers begin to bud and show their beauty. One of my favorite times to enjoy is when the soft little petals blow in the spring breeze – like a spring snow shower – it’s not damp, cold or plain. It’s soft, warm and peaceful. Suddenly, the sun is shining, the birds chirp with joy, the green returns to the grass and the colors of the earth break forth with gladness.  It seems that Easter comes just when we need it. When we just can’t take the darkness anymore and the cold, bitter winter seems relentless, our time of joyful celebration arrives. There is nothing like the sun shine on an Easter Sunday to remind us of the risen Christ.  In our humanness we need the cycles of life and seasons to remember, reflect and reconcile our lives and minds to our Lord. Easter and spring is just the right time and place to remind us of the hope that we still have in Christ.

I could never understand the views of anyone who didn’t believe that flowers and trees were not created by God. No man could create life in its most intricate details and design. Even with our medical science, biological knowledge and botany technology – life and the human body continue to amaze us. Well, I continue to be amazed at how we have been designed and the awe I see in creation. I know that our Lord created us with a purpose and he continues to show himself, however complicated and complex.

 Our Creator God, is not simple, but is complex and our life in a relationship with the Lord seems complicated. HE askes nothing of us except devotion, love and trust – we however are self-driven, self-reliant and at the mercy of the world’s schedule and timing. It was not in God’s design for us to be tied down to the worlds demands. He never meant for us to live in a world with so much pain and saddness, dilemma and confusion. He allows us freedom to choose and asks for our trust – and yet we still take it all upon ourselves in the hope of finding that joy. Time and time again, season after season we are reminded that the true joy, hope and Love reside with Him. He sent us his hope and mercy, when he sent Jesus. We are never forgotten by our Lord, he is faithful through it all. We were never promised perfection, but peace. Peace of mind knowing that our stuggles will be half as hard and life will be twice as good when we are in communion with him. He will take care of all of the struggles if we just let him – if we just let go. He reminds of this in Matthew 6:26. Our heavenly Father cares for us and sends us hope each day and season. So this season, this spring – as you see the beauty in the shades of spring, remember the hope that we have as we continue on life’s journey. Never forget but be reminded of the promise and the hope that is with us always.