Looking out from the back porch this morning, I see green buds on barren limbs and wonder what happened to winter.
Except for a few days here and there - three mornings at most - it's been springlike since fall. Pollen dusts everything yellow and the azaleas are likely at their peak, and it should spring hope in me, but I've been groaning this week over the burdens and sorrows of loved ones and deadlines and busyness and the lack of sunshine and things that don't matter at all.
I remember this morning that I'm not alone in this. All creation groans. This world of burdens and sorrows, in the pains of childbirth - it's not our home.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ~ Romans 8:18-23 ESV
As my fingers move swollen and clumsy across the keyboard, Louis fills the birdbath and waters thirsty ground and I drink in Truth. For even in the midst of sorrow's thorns and we wait for redemption, there's always fair flowers and rejoicing and grace and God's love poured out in great measure.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:1-5 ESV
This weekend begins punctuated with a question mark. With boxes of kleenex, antibiotics, God willing sunshine and vitamin C, we're taking it moment by moment. I'm quite certain there will also be a ballgame or two to watch on the tube and rally our aching bones.
And joining the lovely Sandra's Still Saturday community...
And joining the lovely Sandra's Still Saturday community...
And you? What does your weekend hold?
{Photos}a few feathered friends and the squirrel that finds himself on the outside looking in.
{Photos}a few feathered friends and the squirrel that finds himself on the outside looking in.
