Happy Easter!

He is Risen, He is Risen indeed! What wonderful words that bring us hope. Easter is the highest remembrance we have in Christianity. I know Christmas gets all the attention from the media, decorations and traditions. I can understand why. Having your lawn decorated with a manger scene is so much more beautiful than decorating it with crosses with dead bodies hanging from them. Signs of torture and pain are hard to look at. People don’t want to be reminded that they are the reason Jesus died. Yet for those of us who accept Jesus as our savior, the cross is the starting point. On Easter, Jesus is raised from the dead and conquers over it! With Him our sins die on the cross and with Him we too are resurrected out of our death. Our bodies may still die, but our souls are freed from this curse. Praise be to God for the new life in our hearts.

Early Spring in Vermont

Many times Bill and I have thought about how unattractive Northern New England is during early spring. The warm sun is devouring snow banks faster than a pack of hungry football players. In the wake is mud, branches and debris. We know we will be soon cleaning up the yard as soon as it dries out. Some things are easier to remove, such as a broken fallen branch. Other items become embedded in the mud and need prying out. After cleaning up the yard, the grass and flowers are able to grow strong. I wonder if that is what God sees in our hearts as he thaws the winter away from our souls. All the debris from sin needs to be raked out and the soil reseeded with faith, hope and love.  May your mud season of your soul be short and your growth be plentiful.

Snow and MORE snow have been this year’s projects thus far. Bill has spent many hours plowing the driveway, shoveling the paths and lately, removing snow from the roof tops. Even though the groundhog said an early spring, it is rarely the case in Northern New England. Still the days are lengthening and the sugar makers are out working the tap lines. Spring must be on its way.

I wonder if God gets tired of the ice in our hearts as we tire of the ice in our yards. He waits for us to have a thaw in our hearts, to be invited in to plow out a path to our souls. Time away on a retreat can give you time to reflect on your direction and state of your soul. As we allow Him more into our hearts, he sends the warmth of his love to bring spring time to our lives and the promise of summer. May spring time come early to your heart, even if it looks like winter in your yard.