I’m lucky that I can often go into Heaton Park and my spirit always begins to lift when I see the welcoming sight of snowdrops and wonder at how God’s marvellous creation works. Those delicate looking flowers that slowly appear through the soil defeating the frost to show their green shoots and then the white blossom. They remind me about how, what we take for granted can look so fragile and yet be so strong. They appear to be the green light for Spring to break forth. The birds begin to sing more loudly, even the squirrels seem to scurry around with a new burst of energy as if to say, “Spring is here, let’s get busy”. Then the other bulbs sprout up and we start to see the colourful array of yellow daffodils, narcissus, crocus and the beautiful cherry blossom trees, then we know spring has truly come, what a wonderful creation God has given us to live in. Which reminds me of the poem by William Wordsworth (not all of it just the first verse):
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
However, officially Spring doesn’t begin until 20th March, which is the first day of astronomical spring, but apparently Meteorological Spring falls on 1st March (didn’t know that!). However, coming from a rural community I’d rather take my clue from the birds and animals, who certainly seem to know when spring has sprung, especially the foxes along the track next to our house!
Another reminder of spring beginning was when I lived at home, Spring was the time to take down the curtains to wash them, clean the skirting boards and generally ‘spring clean’ the house from top to bottom!
In the church’s calendar we have moved forwards and are now looking towards Lent. A time to ‘spring clean’ ourselves from inside out. It’s a time when we can prepare ourselves through Bible study, fasting and prayer as we journey with Jesus through his ministry. A journey which we began with that fragile baby who grows strong in wisdom and word, like the snowdrop and the earth welcoming new birth. A journey we can share and, for those who are able, a time to study together in our Lenten Group on Monday afternoons using a book by Amy Scott Robinson, “Images of Grace.”
Lent is a time of preparation; in the same way a farmer begins to prepare his fields for growing seeds. We too need to prepare ourselves to allow God’s words to take root in our hearts and minds so we too can encourage others to join our journey.
When Paul was in prison he wrote to the Ephesians:
“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” – Ephesians 2:10
So let us, this Lent, spring clean ourselves and remember all that God made, which he declared as good.
Blessings
Rev. Christine x
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 