new life...

A flower from last year, still hanging on in my backyard.

Teaching me a lesson.

Even when things look dead, there's still beauty to be found if you focus in close enough.  Also, the light is what makes the difference.  I'm reminded to watch for the light--a city on a hill which cannot be hidden--in the midst of my life 'cause it will bring life to the dark places.

Even though sometimes things die, spring always follows winter and new life rises up anew. No matter how bleak things look for you or for me as we pursue the things we feel called to, we do well to remember spring.  Anticipate that new life, look for it, make plans on it.  It'll be here before you know it and there's no point getting caught unawares.

You have to take time in your day to just sit and watch your kids play and--if you're a preacher or a storyteller, make sure you have a notepad nearby so you can jot down the ideas that will start coming.  If you're a filmmaker, have your camera nearby so that when you notice the light getting nice you can start shooting.

Remember with your characters to write that life, death, new life arc into their troubles, trials, tribulations, victories and joys.

Remember with your sermons to preach the full scope of the Gospel message.  Too often we gloss over the darkness, de-emphasize struggle or pain, or the costs of sin and evil when the great beauty of that greatest of stories is the glory that is to be found through struggle.  The point must always be made that through death came life.

The challenge for us, as pilgrims and storytellers is to hang on--like my flower--and wait for the light, wait for the warmth, wait for the sun...

For spring to come.

T