SPRING

                                                            ‘Tis the Season

Doug Larson, the popular Writer and Editor for the Green Bay Press-Gazette perfectly characterized the most vibrant time of the year.

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”

This Wisconsin born and bred Columnist appreciated the joy of turning the corner on a harsh winter even while it still clipped at his heels. Larson’s humorous optimism - and a whistle - catapulted his senses into appreciative overdrive. Cold toes? Who cares?

Larson could see the sun climbing higher in the sky, feel the temperature grow warmer on his skin and notice new life burst forth around him. So do I.

“The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.” Song of Solomon 2:12 (NLT)

In the nation’s capital, Spring is the first time of the year when the sight of riotous clusters of pink cherry blossoms, the scent wafting from their newly opened blooms and the tickle of their petals brushing my cheek intersect to make me want to whistle!  The breeze is slightly cool enough to put me in a pale, yellow cardigan but the sun is high enough to promise another 65 degree day on the Potomac.

So it is in your life. Spring sighs that your hibernation in God’s winter of preparation is over.

“They set out from the city of Rameses in early spring - on the fifteenth day of the first month - on the morning after the first Passover celebration. The people of Israel left defiantly, in full view of all the Egyptians.” Numbers 33:3 (NLT)

Spring is your time to launch - prepared and ready to face the world of His promises to you.

“On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free.” Exodus 13:4 (NLT)

Spring is your time to begin the journey of Ruth. That was the tenacious, young widow’s season to sojourn from Moab to Bethlehem; from loss to new life.  It was spring when Ruth entered her Promise Land of barley then Boaz!

“So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest.“ Ruth 1:22 (NLT)

Your spring 2013 is the fulfillment of God’s silent, deep, hidden and sometimes harsh winter of preparation in your life. It shall hold the beginning of a riotous, colorful burst of His glory overtaking you! He tells you that you are,

“...the spring crocus blooming on the Sharon Plain, the lily of the valley. Like a lily among thistles is my darling among young women.” Song of Solomon 2:1-2 (NLT)

Spring 2013, He exchanges your ashes for beauty. Restoration!

“Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture.” Zechariah 10:1 (NLT)

Spring 2013, He moves you from mourning to joy. A lush pasture? Come on!

“The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.” Isaiah 61:11 (NLT)

Spring 2013, He enrobes you in justice and a garment of praise to replace the despair!

“Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” Solomon 2: 11-13 (NLT)

The snow of your winter - the one that blanketed a life He was slowly and steadily nurturing under its bitter chill - has melted. Just a little slush in your shoe - already melting. 

It’s not unusual to see a crocus peek its eager, spring bloom  through a little wintry slush. Spring 2013, thawing with promise, will land you in Doug Larson's shoes - whistling on your way.

- Still Processing

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