As I sit comfortably and listen to the weather report on a 30 second intermission on Good Morning America....I can't help but take a few seconds and talk to the good Lord and thank Him for the beautiful record-setting 70 degrees tempertures these past few weeks (yes, I wrote this 2 weeks ago, just now putting it on my blog), yet kindly asking Him to bless us with some much needed rain. I know there are many South Dakatoans, East Coasters, and mid westerns that are just wishing for some of our Spring-like weather. From blizzards to freeze outs to hundreds of car pile-ups due to snow and ice and being house bound due to the weather....and then there is our spring like weather!
For most of us it is thrilling to greet spring after a long cold, snowy, dark winter. As I drive around I notice even the horses and cows seem bored and are so over winter weather, as they stare over the fences into the garden with expectations. So you see, horses and cows aren't much different than us, we seem to stare at the garden and yard from inside the house. I saw this picture on facebook that showed Californians all bundled up with beanies, gloves and parkas on a 50 degree day , while kids in Colorado run through the sprinklers on a 50 degree day!
It doesn't even feel like winter has arrived (till now), in fact it had felt like it skipped us all together. It seems like spring has quickly arrived and small bits of spring color. On an early meander through my courtyard, I spot a cluster of morning glory already making an appearance. I push away leaf litter in the corner of the flower bed to reveal miniature 4 o'clock's rearing their lovely budding leaves. Another walk out of my front gate reminds me of how beautifully my black-eyed Susans are wanting to missile their launch once again. Usually my early Spring is measured by spots of colors. The early risers in my yard definitely revive my sense of wonder and passion for my flowers. I then realize not to get to excited...the ground hog says there is 6 more weeks of winter, and I'm sure there will be more freezing days, frost covered mornings and much needed rain.
But soon, I won't be counting individual garden thrills, because flowers and perinals will come in rapid appearances. After being quiet and keeping it on the low down for months, the flower beds will ramp into full throttle blossems- the hibiscus will bloom like we live in the tropics. I know it's silly, but all this makes me giddy and thankful, and knowing that eventually the other shoe is gonna drop, and both feet will be in and everything will be in bloom. (did I say bloom? one of my favorite sayings "bloom where you are planted" or better yet.."bloom before you are planted". and living your life as a fruit of the Spirit person, bearing good fruit and living in grace. Take your time and discover the fruit of the spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit from my understanding is a relationship with the one who wants to give you the most abundant life you can possibly have- a life of peace, freedom and spiritual growth. So, at this point I take a deep breath, decide to become more like Jesus, I don't want to wait and hopefully you don't either, till it's too late...so there you go "BLOOM BEFORE YOU ARE PLANTED".
Ok, back to spring and all the lilac blossoms, daffodils and all the black-eyed susans. Once again, I learn the lesson that I choose to forget each year, "what Spring giveth, she often taketh away".
One thing that I don't enjoy or don't look forward to is the wind. Yes, to fly a kite and watch the soft white cotton like clouds blow across the bright blue sky. Yet, when the winds little hands work its way through the 500 feet high pine tree in my front yard (ok, maybe I exaggerate a little!) and blows and bends, not just the branches, but the entire tree sways to and fro, at times I pray it doesn't fall, it's almost eerry though and extremely messy when the pine needles drop like when cotton leaves float and make such a mess....and the wind seems like an ancient, mischievous spirit , yet wind in the winter beats wind blowing in the spring or summer. It can blow like the breath of a dragon and for sure havoic takes place. The wind reminds me of the bully wolf from the "The three little pigs" tale. Like the wolf, the wind huffs and puffs and blows things down! We can't stop the wind, just like we can't stop the spring and the "bloom where you are planted or bloom before you are planted" theory.
Spring will come when its time, and for today I will be grateful, and its all
Becuz of His Amazing Grace.....
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