Signs of Spring

            Chaplains at Altru Health System do weekday one-minute devotionals which can be accessed by calling 701-780-3300.  I’m doing mine on “Signs of Spring” during the week of February 25 to March 1.  The first one is below. 

           Take a moment to pauses and reflect …

            About Spring.  It’s not spring yet, but we can see it coming from here.  And isn’t that part of the joy of spring – the anticipation?  So let me give you some signs of spring.

            Let’s start with this sign of Spring:  dirty snow.  The beauty of a snowflake is created around a speck of dust.  (Who knew what a speck of dust could create?)  When the snow begins to melt, even a little, the dust begins to show, drawing more heat and we get dirty, grey snow.

            Already the power of the sun is increasing and the snow melts even on below-freezing days.  I know we easily, and probably, will again get some nice white stuff.  But the new snow will also begin to turn grey, telling us the season will soon move from winter to spring. 

            So often in life, we see grey before we find green.  We have to wade through some trouble before the better arrives.  When things around are grey, anticipate some green to come.  It’s still winter, but spring is coming.

            Let us pray, “O God, you who created the earth and the seasons, thank-you for the promise of good things to come – whether spring or heaven or joys on this earth.  We need your promise as we see all the grey around us.  In your name.  Amen.”