'To Spring'

Lent has been and gone but what I learnt only this year was that the word lent comes from an old English word for spring. I read this points towards a way of understanding Lent as a springtime with God. A time of awakening, emerging and transformation which we are familiar with from nature. The word 'Lent' also has some connection with the word 'lengthening'. For some reason I found all this quite fascinating!

Then the phrase 'to spring' came to me and I thought 'what a lovely concept'! Maybe because I was feeling a little lacking in energy after a prolonged spell of being not well and longed to feel springy again!

That got me thinking of what happens in spring: The birds are busy. Looking at our feeders, they are eating lots and on the go constantly. They sing. Loudly, wanting to be heard and seen. I believe we, too, are born longing to be heard and seen. There's also growth everywhere. Old faithfuls come up again in familiar places. They may need some tending after a hard winter or due to old age - like our daffodils. And new things pop up in surprising places. Somehow this all reminds me of our lives, too.

The next thought that came was that with a garden some planning is required, some thinking needed. What do we want to sow? What would we like to plant?

As for springtime with God, what seeds might he like to sow in our lives? I'd like to it be seeds of hope and joy this year. And what plants might He like to plant? I'd like it to be words of wisdom and encouragement. And what needs tending in my life? Well now, that is too long a list for here! And might He have any surprises? Ok if not, but would be special!

So this spring I am asking that He would cause me 'to spring'!

Happy Springtime!