This is what the landscape looked like on Thursday.
My family and I took a walk on Sunday at the State Botanical Gardens. We had been housebound for several days due to a freak snow and ice storm. We were itching for some spring. The temps were in the fifties and so we ventured out. We weren’t the only ones. There were many others who decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day that we had been blessed with.
At almost the very first turn, we were greeted with these buds.
These buds hold the promise of Spring.
I was of course, delighted and had to stop and snap some photos. My kids kind of rolled their eyes. They wondered what the big deal was. They were green buds. So what?
The beauty of youth is that they don’t ponder things like seasons. If it’s snowing outside, they will build snowmen, make snow angels and have snowball fights. If it’s sunny and warm outside, they will ride bikes, climb trees and jump on the trampoline. Their enjoyment and play doesn’t depend that much on the weather.
I’m not like that at all. I hate being cold and have to wear a jacket if it’s less than sixty degrees outside. It’s a very good thing that I was born in the Deep South.
But to my adult eyes, these green buds symbolize so much. They are a physical reminder that spring isn’t too terribly far away. They tell me that the barren landscape in which I now stand will soon be bursting with the breathtaking beauty that only God can provide. They are a sign of hope. They are physical sign that God is at work behind the scenes.
These buds make me smile. I am reminded every time I make the effort to get out in nature, into God’s space, that His fingerprints are everywhere and the easiest place to see them is in His creation. I think maybe part of the reason we have lost some of the wonder and feeling of His presence here with us is that we stay indoors all of the time, surrounded by man-made creations.
He is present everywhere, but it’s easier for me to really feel His presence in the outdoors surrounded by the life and art that only He can create. I wonder if it’s the same way for everyone else.
It also doesn’t go without notice that this little epiphany occurred on the Sabbath. As I’ve written many times before, when I make myself observe Sabbath time, I am always rewarded. It also gives me comfort that whenever I renew my strength during Sabbath time, I am so much better equipped to serve God in the coming week with an open heart and less stress.
I am determined to enjoy this spring like weather over the coming week and to watch for God in it. I know winter is not over yet, but temperatures in the sixties and seventies in February are a gift and I am thankful. What do you think? I’d love to hear from you.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂