{Wordless Wednesday}

Social Media edition

{Always Winter, Never Spring}

Spring is arriving.   

Early; quickly; brilliantly.  

Just in time for Easter which is right around the corner.

We were blessed with an extremely mild winter here in Michigan, but it doesn’t stop the longing in my heart for spring and the warmth it brings.

Temperatures have been in the upper 70’s and low 80’s for the past week, and we are already spoiled by the warmth.  Averages this time of year are 30’s and low 40’s.   But I’m not delusional, having lived in Michigan long enough to know that we very well could have some massive snow storms between now and the middle of May.  So we’re soaking it up while we can, knowing it might only be a tease before the warmth is here to stay.  

Tulips and crocus are blooming, trees are budding, and every morning I wake up to birds singing their beautiful melodies through our open windows.  

 But with all the robins singing in the trees, and the squirrels eating the heads off my daffodils, the arrival of new life draws my mind to Christ, and the new life He brings us.   I think of Narnia, where it was “always winter, but never Christmas”, and how they longed for something more.  They longed for the hope that came with the arrival of Aslan.  

And when Aslan was on the move, spring came.  Snow melted, rivers flowed, and the trees began to bud.  Aslan brought hope to Narnia, and the world came alive with the anticipation of his arrival.

 

Good Friday was our winter, and God knew it would be.  But He also knew that Sunday was coming, and with that brought the melting away of the darkness and the hope of new life found in the risen Jesus. 

Resurrection (Easter) Sunday should be overflowing with the greatest joy we can find within us.   It is because of that day that we don’t live where it is always winter, never spring.  

 Hallelujah!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; 
the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASV)

Are you doing anything special during the next couple of weeks to prepare your hearts for this season of new life and the celebration of our Risen Savior?

Linking up with:

{Ode to the Shoe}

I live in flip-flops.

Summer.  Fall.  Winter.  Spring.

There is always an extra pair in my car, several pairs in my closet, by the back door, or stashed in my gym bag.   I must have a pair accessible at all times.

Some are average pairs, but then there are others that are favorite pairs. 

Like these:

They traveled with me on many adventures, through years of wanderings. 

Both single, and married. 

They traveled on my honeymoon and explored northern Michigan.

They flew across the ocean to Hawaii where they whale-watched, and walked the monuments at Pearl Harbor. 

They walked the beaches of Lake Michigan, and streets of Chicago, Illinois.

They rummaged garage sales in local neighborhoods, and grocery shopped hundreds of times.

But they have finally wore out.  Done.  Kaput. 

They have walked their last and were replaced this week. 

Replaced by a snazzy pair of cushioned-sole Nike sandals. 

 I have high hopes, but I doubt they’ll be as good as my $7 pair of rubber Walmart flip-flops. 

Do you have a favorite pair of footwear that gets you everywhere?