Gifts of Spring

 One of the greatest gifts of spring is a flower, or more precisely, many flowers. A constant parade of loveliness: Crocuses, tulips, daffodils, flowering trees, lilacs, irises and peonies fill our world with beauty and color, so welcome after the gray cold of winter and loss.

This morning, I was out walking in my neighborhood and was "surprised by joy" (to quote Wordsworth and C.S. Lewis) at the sight of my neighbor's colorful tulip bed glistening in the morning sun. I felt a familiar leap of joy in my heart that I've come to think of as inner singing.

 Flowers have always made my heart sing; from the time I was a small girl and my Swiss grandmother took me by the hand as we strolled through her backyard garden. She pointed out each flower by name and seemed to be as fascinated by their beauty as I was. I felt a connection to each one as warmth and happiness filled me.

I believe that flowers remind us that our Creator loves beauty and desires to share this joy with us. Blossoms are intricately designed and perfectly crafted, each one with a unique blueprint.  Aside from the loveliness they bless us with, they are essential to life on this planet. Flowers provide nectar and pollen for the bees, which in turn makes it possible for our crops to grow.

In essence, they feed our spirits and bodies as well as demonstrate to us the cycle of life.  A flower plant grows from seed, blooms and provides beauty and nectar, then withers and dies, becoming part of the soil that nourishes new plants.

They inspire our art and design, our music and poetry and most importantly, remind us that we are deeply cherished Divine beings, worthy of such beautiful gifts.

I Believe in the Sun

 As I was walking around our neighborhood this past weekend, lamenting the gray dreary weather, I reminded myself that the sun was still there, shining brightly, though it was hidden behind the clouds. A well-known quote came to mind:

"I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining; I believe in love, even when feeling it not; I believe in God, even when he is silent."

Though I've heard this saying often through the years, I was curious as to its origins and decided to do a little research. There are a few different theories, but the consensus is that this was originally an inscription that had been scratched into the walls of a cellar in Cologne, Germany by a Jew, one of many who had been hidden there during the Holocaust.

I tried to imagine what it would have been like to have been confined to a dark cellar during this very frightening time. Yes, their lives were saved, but they were still deprived of such basic human needs as sunshine, fresh air and freedom.

I thought of how very difficult it would be to cling to one's hopes and ideals, to continue to have faith, under such circumstances. It is a true testament to the strength of the human spirit that someone could write beautiful poetry at such a time.

Maybe it is at just such times, when we are in great pain and deprived of simple comforts, that our inner light shines brightest.

So, today, as I look out the window and see yet more gray and rain on this Spring morning in May, I seek the inner light of Spirit and find strength. I am hopeful, reminding myself that this rain nourishes the new life that is springing up all around me, just as difficult times nourish and create resilience in my soul.

I think of the grace we said when my children were young and bring it with me into the new day:

Thank you for the world so sweet; thank you for the food we eat;
 thank you for the birds that sing; thank you God for everything...