New calves in the barnyard, geese honking overhead as they make their way to the annual nesting grounds, ducks are choosing the best place to build their nests so the predators won’t destroy them, Robins, finches, purple martins, doves, and the list goes on, have come again for new beginnings.
We wait with enthusiasm for the awakening of a new spring and freshness and the throwing off of winter and all its drabness. The new sprouts of the perennials, the tree buds bursting into new leaves and that newly tilled soil just waiting for those tiny seeds to be placed in it to bring new life and nourishment to our kitchen table. The greening of our lawns are filled with new beginnings, the insects come alive once again, and the earthworms come to the surface. And yes, those beautiful yellow flowers come alive. We can look at them as a patch of weeds, or we can look at them as the first nourishment for the bees. Our children saw them as a bouquet to give to us or blowing the white stuff you could wish upon.
April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring mud puddles which we step around and have visions of muddy shoes and dirty floors. Our children saw places to build dams, rivers to cross, and worms to play with. Our lives are filled with many new beginnings, we are born, and our life begins with many turns and twists. Many choices and challenges are given to us, and what we do with them will design our lives. Some choices made are not the best and so a new direction must be taken.
Are we willing to take that new direction, or are we stuck in that rut, afraid to move on? Many stories in the Bible were stories of new beginnings. Moses bringing the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt gave the people freedom. The dedication of Ruth to her mother-in-law after the death of Naomi’s husband and sons and to follow her where she went. Abraham and Sarah having a son at very old age, and many descendants came through their son Isaac.
The birth of Jesus brought many new beginnings and sadness to Mary and Joseph. That little baby who would grow to be a man and walk among the people. That man who would teach right from wrong, instil faith and goodness. Sit down and have supper with the despised and bathe the leper. Jesus didn’t want to be a king, he only wanted to be a shepherd to lead and protect his people. His faith, love, and encouragement have given us the opportunity for new beginnings. Let us not be afraid to take that leap and walk the journey. God’s Blessings for the journey.
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Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer.a
