New Life

John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV)

After a recent illness and being "in the house" for about two weeks, I felt well enough to meet a friend for lunch. While returning home, I began to feel the warm rays of sun flooding through the car windows. It made me feel happy and warm inside, and I realized I hadn't felt like that for quite some time. My father had died in December, at which time I had experienced a feeling I had never felt before — extreme happiness for my father because he was now at home with God, and extreme sadness for myself and my family because of the separation from my father until we join him in heaven. Feeling the sunshine reminded me that God warms our cold, unhappy hearts and brings new life when we allow Him to, and oh! what a wonderful feeling!

The weather here has been cold, cloudy, and dreary, with skiffs of snow (I love a beautiful fresh, glistening snow — one in which to build a snowman), so I call the warm temperatures today a "spring teaser". Several people have called our local weather station to report they have seen robins. Our lives are just like the seasons — each one in its own time. Let's take time to reflect on the freshness and new life that comes in the early spring after a long, hard winter. Signs of new life are the warmth of the sunshine streaming from the heavens to the earth, the smell of fresh rain in the air, the first buds on the trees, the crocuses peeking through the ground, and the songs of the robins and other birds.

What an incredible life our Creator has made for us! Let us never forget to thank Him for that precious "new life" He breathes into us!

Ephesians 4:23-24 – To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV)

Prayer: Our precious heavenly Father, we thank you for creating the seasons of earth and life. Help us always to remember that you have created all things, and to give thanks in all things. We thank you for loving us so much. Help us always to be your servants, and to be living examples of your love to this world. Amen.

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