as we anticipate April. . .

I wrote a short reflection for our church newsletter that will be ready for distribution on Sunday.

April showers bring May flowers…. I’m sure we’ll hear this little rhyme many times this month as we eagerly anticipate the warmth and colourful display of spring.

As I thought a little bit more about this, I realized there could be some deeper truths to explore.

Sequence – God’s plan is never our plan. April and showers must come first.

Showers – sometimes they come into our lives as torrents of rain – our umbrella of hope threatens to turn inside out as the winds blow with gale-like ferocity. We tighten our grip and, with tenacious determination, we draw that umbrella a little closer in a desperate effort to keep the rain from drenching us. At other times, the rain is a gentle mist – not enough to really require an umbrella and we step out with anticipation. We turn our faces towards the cool drops and enjoy the cooing mist as the tiny droplets splash across our face.

The earth is dry from its winter season of hibernation. It eagerly soaks up these April showers, regardless of whether they’ve come in torrential downpours or gentle droplets of moisture. They are the life-blood of the May flowers that are to come – of which we wait with eager anticipation.

Can you see a deeper truth here? Sometimes the rains of adversity can threaten to overwhelm us – to turn our umbrella of faith inside out and render it useless, except to catch the rain.

Other times, the rains come as a gentle shower and we relish in the outpouring of God’s grace and tenderness as we welcome the refreshing and renewing showers. Like young children, we frolic in the rain and relish the feeling of carefree abandonment as we find the biggest puddles in which to jump and splash.

Either way, April showers result in beautifully fragrant blossoms in May – flowers of a faith whose roots are stronger and deeper – flowers of faith that now bless others with their fragrance – blossoms that bloom with brilliance as we display God’s incredible faithfulness to us.

May the April showers bring about God’s flowers in May.

today is the first day of spring

and I noticed that my tulips in the courtyard are up! As the rest of the yard is still sporting remnants of snow, I didn't even think to check this warm corner. At this rate, I'll need to be watering them soon!!

and yet. As wonderful as it is to see these signs of spring, it means for us that we continue to march closer each day to yet another family 'speed bump'.

This next week Florian is scheduled for an angiogram. While we're not concerned about the test at all, it represents for us that we're one step closer to the day that he will undergo heart surgery. We haven't been notified of a scheduled date, but they have suggested that it will be soon... as early as spring.

Well, guess what? Today is the first day of spring which means that it could be any time within the next short while.

Where does that leave us today? really, in no different a space than yesterday or the day before yesterday... or tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.... We continue to place ourselves in God's Hands. He continues to shape... to mold... to speak words of assurance... and in turn, we continue to cling to Him knowing that He has us in His precious grip!