Late last week and through the weekend there was a tease of spring. Did you feel it as well? Temperatures were above freezing, snow was melting, and the grass is starting to reveal itself. At the home improvement stores, they're read for spring. Fertilizer, lawn tools and mowers are all being pushed. At the grocery store, they now have the 'Easter aisle,' a true indicator of spring. And then our weather reminds us that we have 4 weeks left of winter. Just when we think we're through, snow hits. If the weather forecasts are true, more is yet to come. So we wait. And wait. And wait some more. We wait for the weather to warm and flowers to blossom. Here's the encouraging thing: spring is coming. Regardless of whether we love the snow and cold, and would prefer to ski all year round, we can't stop the inevitability of a change in season. Spring is coming. And those of us that love warm weather find some peace knowing that.
Last week we began our 40 day Lenten journey (Lent comes from the German word meaning 'spring'). We began with a reminder of our humanity - ashes on our forehead - and continue to the cross, the grave, and then the Resurrection. Lent isn't the most celebratory of liturgical seasons, which is difficult for some people (including me!). We have no 'alleluias,' no flowers on the altar, and many of the songs we sing are in a minor key. There doesn't seem to be much joy in Lent. It's a time of reflection, repentance, fasting, penitence and discipline. However, Lent isn't a season that lasts forever. Easter is coming, and we have peace in knowing that.
In the meantime, we wait. We learn to be patient and make the most of our current season. But we know that the flowers will come.
- Dave Dringenburg
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