Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Spring

I would like to apologize for my lack of posts recently.

We lost a dear friend last weekend. His passing was unexpected and has left many feeling lost, confused and brokenhearted. Most specifically his sweet wife (my best friend and roommate from college) and their two precious little girls. He was a Christian, an amazing man, a wonderful husband, a phenomenal father and a loved son, brother and friend. He will be missed.

I came home from Dallas to find my wisteria in full bloom. While sitting under the arbor, surrounded by the intoxicating scent of the blooms, I just couldn't help but think of how spring gives us a sense of renewal. With spring comes new hope, open windows and fresh air, sweet breezes with the scents of blooming flowers and joy that the cold days of winter are over for a while. It has often been said that the changing of the seasons is like the cycle of life. There is birth, youth, maturing, and death...and then rebirth. Spring is a continual reminder that all things are reborn. Winter is inevitable. We all know that it will return. Just as believers know that our life on earth will end and we will be reborn into an everlasting spring with the Lord.

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Take heart. The dark days of winter are but a season and the promise of spring, in turn, is a promise of eternity. The darkest of days always turn to light and remind us of our salvation and the eternal spring we will share with the Lord.
Spring is a blessing.
We are all given a short time on this earth. We all have a certain and inescapable summoning where believers will be taken into the eternal spring of the Lord's glory.

I pray for comfort, strength, faith and peace for my friend and her little girls. I pray this for all of the friends and family that loved her husband and will miss him terribly.


Enjoy the spring. We all know that winter will return, but bask in the sunshine and renewal. Know that it is all part of life and look forward to your own eternal spring.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26

5 comments:

Judy said...

this is one of the best things i've read. ever. i love you, friend.

Maria@Live Beautifully said...

wow, thanks for the props friend! I love you too!!!

Margaret said...

beautiful words, maria, and such truth. you are gifted!

Maria@Live Beautifully said...

Thanks Margaret! Just speakin' the truth :-)

daisy & collin said...

Maria,

You have been touched by the light of God. Your heart speaks such beautiful truths. We are so sorry to haer of your loss. We will keep them in our prayers.

Daisy & Collin