Rose’s Back Porch, March, 1997

From the UMC of N.Chili Newsletter

“Spring is Coming”

March is here and the woes of January and February are over. Spring will soon bring robins and snowdrops, maple syrup, and new seedlings on the window sill. The sap is running and the willows surely have a hint of green.

Spring brings an invitation to use all our senses. Everything is so brand new and exciting! The days get longer and there’s so much to see and hear, and feel and smell and taste. I remember sticking my tongue out (as my daddy did) to taste spring. Ever tried it? Don’t scoff! The air we breath tastes fresh and clean, crisp and wonderful. It feels refreshing on your face as the wind stirs spring about your head. It smells earthy as the activity underground goes into high gear and roots are nudged into sprouts. It looks different – not only are greens and pinks replacing browns and grays, the clouds are different; fluffier, softer looking. The trees have buds, the various flowers outdo each other as they burst forth. Our world becomes alive with bird song. We hear so many different tones and pitches – all notes clear and crisp. With all their activity, nest building and “here and thering” , they have time to sing.

On quiet spring evenings as a child I would walk from the barn with its new kittens, past the chicken house where hens were nesting, and could almost feel spring under my boots. With all the atmospheric changes that bring the equinox and spring rains we also have spring mud. Boots are a necessity in the spring. Mine were left on papers at the door under the coat hooks. As the ground was frozen in the mornings, I couldn’t reason why I was made to wear boots to school in the mornings. Wearing my badge of martyrdom, I was quietly thankful for them on the evening walk home.

At school flower seeds were planted and all the art projects centered around flowers and birds and kites. Everywhere, changes. God is so good to us. He gives us the seasons and the senses to appreciate each one and the changes they bring. He gave us a reasoning mind to differentiate between our will and His as our lives change and new decisions have to be made. His grace gives us a way out when we make the wrong choices. He gave us Jesus so we could experience spring and rebirth in our lives.

Feel that rebirth this Spring. Open your senses and use them everyday to welcome all the changes spring brings you. Experience new life – and wear your boots!

Happy Spring!

Rose