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Spring Is Here!

Today is the first day of spring and there's new growth everywhere I look.

The red maple was actually glowing this morning because it's branches are so covered with tiny red leaves.  The flowering cherry tree is covered in pink blossoms.

The mophead hydrangea has little touches of yellow-green emerging all up and down its bare stick-like stems.  The azaleas have tight little buds on all their branch tips.

The daffodils are standing tall in anticipation of showing off their over-sized blooms.  The wider fluffier leaves of the daylilies are pushing through the soil.  The asters are showing off new growth beneath the old.  And all three - daffodils, daylilies, and asters - are multiplying in numbers!  

All these are signs of life.  They're also reminders that there are things that need to be done.  Pruning, mulching, fertilizing, and consistent watering of both lawn and garden.

All this can be seen in the life of a Christ follower too.  We need Jesus, our living water.  We need fertilizer; time spent reading the Bible and in relationship with other Christ followers.  

The Bible, God's Word, is also a pruning process for us.  It reveals and causes us to seek God's removal of what's not healthy or prevents growth.  

As I celebrate this first day of spring and the beauty of new life around me, I want to pause long enough to check the health of my spiritual garden.  And I want to intentionally delight in living to the fullest this life Jesus paid such a high price to give me.  

  

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