new day. new season.

I suppose this is the obligatory first day of spring post.  It goes with all the tweets, facebook posts, and instagrams of flowers today! :-)

But, the place where I see God today is in the change of seasons.  I kind of like that the whole year is not all the same, although, if I had to suffer through northern CA or HI life where every day is gorgeous, well, I guess I could deal.  But, for now, I like that the seasons change.  I like being warm and cozy and wearing hoodies and boot.  I like seeing the leaves change (even if I don't like raking them!).  And I think I like  spring fall spring fall spring most of all, because it is so new.  There are little buds peaking out of trees and out of the ground.  You WANT to get outside after months of cold.  You haul out the grill.  You sit on the porch.  It's light til late.  And summer hold the promise of some slower, longer days ... and some fun!

I'm thankful, too, for new seasons because they bring a fresh start.  Even a new week or a new month can do that.  It's a time to stop some things and start some things.  I love that God made the seasons ... and that He gave them meaning.  There are cycles of feasts and festivals in Scripture that portray seasons and that call us to remember.

Spring reminds me of picnics and playgrounds as a kid.  It's Spring Break and Easter.  It's after dinner walks.  It's cookouts.  It's fishing.  It's new and fresh and bright and hope-filled.

What does spring remind you of?

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

         a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

     a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3