is it really spring?

 i happened to go outside my front door yesterday, during the day...usual, in that often i drive out of the house, or i return when the sun has gone down.

but yesterday, after finishing some work, i went for a walk during the daylight hours (as opposed to 5 in the morning), and, for a moment, i thought someone had planted flowers in my yard!  i did remember planting these last fall, but who knew 'spring had sprung' in merced?!

and, of course, purple, to match the season.  we are moving toward easter (and i do not plan to dig them up once the season is over); but, for now, this beautiful plant is a reminder that life comes after winter...in spite of being neglected all winter, with hardly any water or not even a passing glace as i went for my walks in the morning, which is how i missed the fact that change had happened.  in spite of my lack of attentiveness, this plant not only survived, but has thrived!

now, how do i relate this to my own life?  i've been rather focused on myself and the church--really a tie in the 'paying attention' department.  so, how is it that i've overlooked these flowers?

my only response, after pondering this question myself today, is that i've stayed focused, but perhaps missed, while not perhaps the bigger picture, certainly some of the details.  and, not only that, the details change very quickly...a reminder to pay closer attention.  and yet, as i think about it, those flowers were not there two weeks ago, when i noticed my backyard tree starting to 'leaf-out'.  maybe, in all honesty, these flowers just suddenly "appeared", like the time change creeping up on us!

whatever happened, and however these flowers appeared, i am aware now.  and isn't this a great picture?!  not because i took it (which is more miraculous than to be 'awed' over), but because this is a picture of renewed life!  in spite of everything, the seasons change, flowers bloom; easter comes despite our never being quite ready.  easter isn't like christmas when we may not have our house trimmed completely or the cards sent out or the gifts completely wrapped.  no, easter is about the fact that we're not always spiritually ready.

and that makes me chuckle a little because the reality is, GOD is always ready; more than ready, actually, to send forth grace and beauty and love -- reminders that life is all around us, and in us, and shared through us.  what a wonderful message!  just like receiving a bouquet of flowers at your doorstep; flowers you weren't expecting, but you're glad their there!

so take some time this week, to remember that easter is on its way. . .thanks be to god!