March 19th - first day of spring

Tomorrow, March 20^th, is the first day of spring.  It just might be my perception, but it feels like this winter has been exceedingly harsh with cold temperatures; snow, snow and more snow; and ice so pervasive that parking lots are turning into skating rinks. So on the eve of the return of spring, I am reminded of these words from a familiar hymn written by Natalie Sleeth:

In the bulb there is a flower

In the seed an apple tree,

In cocoons a hidden promise:

Butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

There’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season,

Something God alone can see.

This is Edmonton, so I am sure spring may be slow and even a bit reluctant in beginning the process of revealing itself.  Likely more snow, cold and ice are in store for us.  But also there is the hope and promise of warmer days, grass being revealed under what was layers of snow, and new life sprouting from the warming earth.

The Lenten Season is much like this time of year in Edmonton.  We know that hope and resurrection are coming, but we are not quite there yet.  So in hope and in anticipation, we wait.

May you be touched by the spirit of hope and promise as we enter into spring.

Shalom,

Rev. Dr. Dale Johnson