Signs of Hope in the Transition from Winter to Spring ...

There is a lot about March that I don't enjoy, especially the slush as the snow melts. It often has a dirty look to it. And yet, there are signs of the coming of spring. Today I took a walk around Richmond Hill. I saw images that reminded me that winter is still here; and yet also the signs that spring isn't far off.

The ice in these two images caught my attention, especially how it had formed around these evergreen leaves. In one case the leaf is brown and dead; in the other there is still life in the green. You can imagine the ice continuing to melt. As it does, our eyes are drawn to the unique patterns and images that are forming. Winter is still here; but there is a profound beauty in the ice gradually becoming a puddle of water.

A sure sign of spring in our part of the world is the return of the robins. I love their beautiful orange breasts and the sharp yellow of their beaks.

Their song as they chirp is quite beautiful too, as long as it's not in the wee hours of the morning. Even then, there is something hopeful. I remember a saying that describes the spirituality of faith ... faith is the bird who greets the morning with a song before the sun has risen. There are worst things to hear early in the morning than the song of the robins greeting the new day!

These are two photos of statues in a local cemetery. The one is of a young girl holding on tightly to a cross; you can see the innocence of her youth, but also the pensive look of grief too. On one hand she could be Mary at the foot of Jesus' cross. I think she represents all who cling to the cross in our deepest times of need, when we need the hope and promise God offers us through the cross. The other photo is the image of an angel standing watch or guard. We all need an angel keeping watch over us, protecting us, guiding and directing the things that happen in our lives. This angel is weathered and worn; but how appropriate too. In the midst of a cemetery where people experience death, profound loss and grief, here are two symbols of hope, faith and trust.

Finally, the most promising sign that spring is coming are the various shoots coming up in the gardens. What a hopeful sign! Soon these shoots will be grown and their flowers will be in bloom. What a joy to watch the process of nature as time unfolds and the seasons pass. I was particularly struck by the image of the shoots coming out of the cracks in the dirt. That reminded me that often hope springs up out of the cracks and brokenness of our lives. In fact, it's often when we're most broken that we search out and recognize the grace of God that is always there but that we've just noticed.

This time of transition from one season to another is an opportunity to see and recognize the profound mystery of our faith, how new lift springs forth of death. The bitterly cold days are feeling a bit warmer as the sun shines; it's brighter later in the evening; the snow is melting away. What a time to hold out hope for the sunnier, warm days that are to come; for the flowers that will fill the air with the fragrance of their smell; and the birds that will sing their songs of joy. May we be attentive to the presence of God as winter ends and spring begins. Amen!