“. . . Just remember, in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow,
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love
In the spring becomes the rose.”
–Bette Midler
Summer has long been my favorite time of year – singing in the sunshine, tending flowerbeds, swatting flies at family picnics and rolling in the ocean surf.
But spring, to me, is the most miraculous season of the year.
After enduring months of freezing temperatures, barren landscapes, short daylight hours and long stretches of darkness, signs of change slowly but surely appear: snowdrops and crocuses peek through the crusty soil, the first robin offers its stouthearted solo, buds swell on green-tinged willow tree branches, the mercury hiccups a 20-degree spurt on the patio thermometer.
Jim Bishop Spring approaches – with its awesome promise of new life. Winter can’t hold us in its icy grip forever. Hope springs eternal.
It’s easy to let myself get stuck in the muck of daily hassles and exigencies. When tough situations arise, hope sometimes becomes the prime force that keeps me motivated and moving.
‘Affirmative words’
Just last week, I was allowing several personal problems to run interference on my usual optimistic attitude. Right in the midst of my personal pity party, a work colleague stopped me on the stairway landing and told me that a recent column “spoke” to him. That same morning, a letter came in the mail from a lady I don’t know with affirmative words for several of my articles that she could identify with.
Such serendipitous moments served up a munificent ration of hope and reminded me of the larger picture – that indeed, my life is running over with daily bountiful blessings.
These incidents underscored again that we need to offer words of encouragement when we see someone else caught in a web of melancholy or despair. It may be someone who is experiencing a long-term illness, dealing with a fractured relationship, severe financial stress.
A supportive word and gentle touch of grace may make all the difference in helping someone see “new possibilities,” a turning point just ahead. I also must recognize that it’s not a sign of weakness or inadequacy to simply admit that I’m struggling with a problem and go seek assistance.
Revive and Renew Yourself
Spring may seem a natural time for the human spirit to be revived and renewed, but this sweet season can happen year-round when we breathe a breath of warmth on frozen countenances – both on ourselves and others.
Sometimes, however, we must first pass through the refiner’s fire of testing and trial. The rainstorm must preceed the rainbow. Before the joy and gladness of Easter, there is the solemnity, pain and alienation of Good Friday. This is the memorandum of spring and of the Easter season that is such an integral part of it.
Look – the newly-opened daffodil getting a suntan.
Look – long-shuttered windows are opening to let in the fresh air.
Look – the stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty.
Look – a new creation.
Jim Bishop is public information officer at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va.