Spring: A Time to Pause, Refresh

When the

signs of spring begin to appear,

a quarter of our new year has passed.

The new year that began with fresh

hopes and new goals, resolutions.

And as the long, cold winter passes,

a restlessness, a longing arises;

a thirst, a searching for new life.

Maybe our dreams have faded,

maybe our hopes have dimmed.

Or have we resorted to depending   

on our own strength and energy to 

accomplish all that we long for?

Spring is a time to pause, a time 

to press the “refresh” button

on our life, on our heart.

We need to slow our pace, stop 

our striving, and lean in close.

When the hush of spring wonder

arrives, when we find ourselves longing

for new growth, for new life …

let us lean in close to Him. To pause

our busyness, and to listen.

For growth does not come by striving;

new life and new blossoms come

naturally, in the quiet, as we still

our hearts and our minds to listen

intently and closely to Him.

“God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You;

I thirst for You; my body faints for You

in a land that is dry, desolate, and

without water.”  (Psalm 63:1 CSB)

(Thoughts on my heart and mind as I take some time this first week of April, pausing from my work and from my unending responsibilities. Taking time for quiet, to read back in my journal, to listen to His whispers. I am finding that I have become a bit worn down, tired out, depending on my own efforts to accomplish my dreams. And I’m reminded, again, of my ‘words for the year’ … undivided heart. May I have an undivided heart to take pockets of time, and also extended times, to pause, to slow my pace. May I have an undivided heart to listen. To You, Lord.)

Photo: Our Trip to Italy 2011