Sunrise has been so lovely in these last string of days;
pale ribbons grace the sky, the softest hues of morning arise.
If life had a kite string, it would be nice to run along
with that kite of carefree, breezy days.
The warm sun is such a tease
and so is the wind, like an enchantress, spinning tales.
The wind picks up and tugs at my dreamer heart
scattering my cares and windblown worries.
It is not yet spring, but I could be fooled on such a kite-flying day as this.
The daffodils have made their way to an early showing;
far too early, some might say.
I seize that dancing kite that flutters by my window.
Spring beckons me to come outside and play;
the garden of life awaits; all those blooms bursting into being.
In my neighborhood, the gardeners are all out working in their yards. A spell of warm weather has brought everyone outdoors. Even on days that threaten rain, these folks are hard at work.
There is something about seeing the first daffodils or crocuses that sets our spirits soaring. According to Andrew Gaumond, author and horticulturist, planting crocuses can be a symbol of renewal in your life each spring. Gaumond tells us that, “Due to its symbolic link with renewal and rebirth, many people use crocus flowers as wedding bouquets.” They are enchanting flowers to say the least, and they do herald the onset of spring.
The other day, I found a cluster of purple crocuses in a place where I had not planted them. This is the mystery and beauty of gardening. There are always surprises!
In life, we go through many seasons. Some are harder than others, and it might be said that we ‘grow’ through these seasons. Although things seem dormant in winter, change is ongoing. The bulbs beneath the snow are getting ready to bloom. There are times when we feel that we are in a lull, and yet oftentimes, these are the very moments when we are ‘growing’ the most. In all of this growth, there are ‘growing pains’, and we might wish to avoid all of that. If we are patient with ourselves, we come to understand that the winter storms were necessary; without the drifts of snow to climb, we would be much less sturdy. More importantly, we would be less able to deal with the next snowstorm in the future.
Change is inevitable, and in reality, we are always moving forward, like those early blooms of spring, making their way. I do believe that spring is a time for renewal, a time to make small changes in our lives that are uplifting. Sometimes, we forget that the smallest changes can make such a big difference.
Spring will be here soon enough, and I know many people are counting the days. Perhaps, in these last days of winter, we should visualize the ‘spring’ that is to come within ourselves, as well as in the world around us. God longs for us to know the spring of new beginnings because it is He who makes all things new. (Revelation 21:5: “Behold, I make all things new.”
As the gardens emerge around us, and the grass fills in all the barren places, may we celebrate the springtime in our midst, both within, and without. Like a small purple crocus blooming in a place we never dreamed of, the dreams of our hearts are quietly being nurtured by God above. He is a patient gardener, and His blooms are always perfect.
A lovely reflection, Linda. You have capture the transition between winter and spring beautifully. One day, you must consider reading your reflections. Thank you for adding beauty and joy to my day!!
That’s a great suggestion, Rebecca, for Linda to read her reflections!
One day, some day, I might read my reflections! 🙂 For now, I am knee-deep in a great many things. I am still working through my mother’s boxes of photos and letters. I am creating scrapbooks for family members, trying to save ‘snapshots’ of the life she spent with them. It is work, but also joy. I am a very sentimental person, so I must be careful in what I keep and what I toss. I ‘reflect’ on all of it and do the best I can. I have come to see that our lives are love letters…so much love, so little time!
How very well said – our lives are love letters!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you for this hopeful and uplifting reflection on the certainty of spring, even in the darkest days of winter.
It is in the darkest days that we must hold fast to spring…We watch for the signs so clearly present now. I listen to the chatter of little birds upon my porch and I wonder. There are so many more now, so many singing in the early morning light. I love to hear their little stories back and forth…so much joy! 🙂
A beautiful reflection, Linda. There’s hope in remembering that during our actual winter (and a winter of the soul) there’s still growth happening that can’t be seen yet. But it’s there, beneath the surface, and will emerge and bloom at just the right time.
Yes! This is so very true! Deep down inside, we grow stronger as we battle those winter winds. Without that winter, perhaps we would never understand the spring and summer that follows. Life is a precious gift in all its seasons…
ah the signs of spring, as I mourn for loss of spring and summer as our heavy rain persists … there is now flooding and loss of life in many places. We are always grateful for the few days the sun breaks through … about 3 weeks in total over the last 5 months, and here winter is looming …
such a delightful reflection Linda you do these well!
I am so sorry for the flooding! I pray for more days of sunshine where you are. The pictures you post are always so beautiful! The flowers are amazing! I pray for your beautiful homeland and may the winter months be kind to you.
our winter is nothing remotely like yours and we could well enjoy warm days and just cold nights … lets see! A friend couldn’t visit today coz her road out is flooded, there are often inconvenient complications for rural people 🙂
I am sorry your friend could not visit! I wondered if winter brought more rain in Australia, so I looked it up. (I believe I read that June is Sydney’s most rainy month). Anyway, that got me started on reading a great article, “Winter in Australia”, by Larry Rivera. I read his pointers on how to enjoy an Aussie winter. The ski slopes in the alpine region look wonderful. I also read that the Queen’s birthday marks the start of the ski season. (Keeping you in my prayers with the heavy rain!)
I too have crocus that grow where they were not planted. I expect they’ll be pushing up green spikes in a few weeks. They signal the end of winter, and they also symbolize the resurrection. Every year I am more eager for both.
Easter will be here before we know it! I have found more crocuses popping up in different places. It is a joy to find them!
If life had a kite string. How dear, tugs at my heart strings.
Spring is almost upon us! We have had some very warm days! 🙂 I am ready!
A bit of envy from here Linda. I briefly live vicariously seeing those prespring pictures. It will be -25 tonight. and snow is thigh deep. Sigh. Yet this harsh winter has been good for our household. It’s been 3 months of Narnia winter wonderland here.
Our indoor plants are blooming and for now that’s enough.
Indoor plants are wonderful! We have an orange tree that is getting quite big. We keep it indoors throughout the winter. I love to see those oranges on a cold winter day! Your Narnia winter wonderland does sound enchanting…
So beautiful, Linda. The words in this post make me feel as if God has put His arms around me and is holding me close to His Heart. Just yesterday, my husband mentioned spring to me. Today, a friend from work mentioned coming blessings and here now is a post on preparing for that time of hope and joy. And with that – the beauty of daffodils! Daffodils were a sign to me in the later days of Lent; they are before me once more today. God is writing something in the skies. We may not be able to make out the words just yet but one day we will.
God does have His arms around you, and He does keep you close to His heart! You do have a beautiful way of saying things! Especially today, given the state of the world, we must focus on God’s unending mercy for His children, His unfailing love, His constant support. We trust the word of God, and we know that with Him all things are possible, and the miracles of spring are always unfolding, within and around us. Thank you for your uplifting comment which came at just the right moment this morning. God bless you!
So true, Linda. The nurture of God, even when we can’t see it. Beautiful. God’s grip – Alan
He is always with us! 🙂
I really enjoyed your verse Linda. Your playful tone & word choices are excellent. Also liked the rest of your post. Spring is indeed a lovely season. We are so blessed to witness the beauty of seasonal changes each year. Have a great weekend! 🌞
I agree, Spring is definitely a time for renewel. Lovely piece, Linda. I can’t wait for Spring where I am!
We have our share of warm sunny days, and we have those wintry cold days as well. Spring is coming day by day! March is always a mix of every kind of weather…we will see! 🙂
It is finally feeling like Spring where I live, and I find myself having a hard time accepting that. I think after the past couple of years of dealing with Covid, my husband’s cancer, our granddaughter’s premature birth, etc., I almost feel stuck in “Winter” and it is difficult to believe in the reality of Spring. Thanks for your eloquent reminder that Spring ALWAYS does come into our lives, we just have to have the faith to trust and believe!
It is God who brings ‘springtime’ into our lives. Sometimes, we do feel very much stuck in winter. Deep within us, He spills the sunshine of His love. We cannot always erase the painful moments or lift the heavy clouds that come our way. Knowing that God stands with us in the midst of winter is such a comfort. The season of lent has started, and slowly the days make way to Easter. That Easter joy is our eternal spring! I pray that this season will bring you many blessings…
Linda, your words carry with it the fresh breath of spring! When I read, “The other day, I found a cluster of purple crocuses in a place where I had not planted them. This is the mystery and beauty of gardening. There are always surprises!” I found myself hoping I’ll find some surprising blooms that I didn’t realized were planted popping up in my life in this new season.
I hope there are many beautiful and unexpected blooms on your path this season! 🙂