April 2011 Sketchings

“SPRING FASHION SHOWS!!”

I find Spring a marvel of God’s redemptive resurrection power. New life springing up out of winters death at every corner. Seeds sown in death growing to life. Buds popping out on what appear to be lifeless limbs. Green blades of grass surging forth from ground bedraggled with the guck of winter.

Spring’s redemptive resurrection power becomes a simple prelude to the Easter announcement. Miracle of miracles. Neither death, the devil, or a tomb could hold him in! Jesus rose from the dead so that believers can know the transforming power of His Spirit, of resurrection life and experience our own spring renewal each day!

I liked this little piece by Jan Kane. I spotted it in a hospital lobby one day.

“Spring Fashion Shows”

“Spring is a really choice time to put on a fashion show. A time when nature begins to arouse from her winter death-like sleep and burst into her own splendid show of color and life.

“Tulips and daffodils dance in their new spring hats, covering the hillsides with a rainbow of color.

“Forsythia are proud to display their new yellow frocks.

“Magnolia and flowering crab compete with each other to see who can come up with the most beautiful spring outfit.

“And tall graceful trees, not at all embarrassed about their high hemlines begin to display their glorious green; starting out with a delicate pinafore or light green soon changing to a lush forest green robe.

“This yearly display is always very moving, for it is a reaffirmation of Christ’s rising from the dead and his promise that we too, through his grace and mercy, shall have an eternal spring after our winter sleep. We too shall be gifted with life after death.

“As winter drags on, I begin to get bogged down in small worries and plans for this and plans for that. By the time winter ends, I have everything planned out for the next ten years and I’m worrying about all the details now.

“But as spring blossoms, I feel a great relief and joy. I feel like running and enjoying and savoring the changes that each day brings. The new leaves on the trees, the flowers sprouting up through the ground, the early blossoms.”

With you, I’m waiting spring’s full miracle. And even more so the more wonderful miracle of Easter.

T. O. M.