Back In The Swing Of Spring

The trail had been calling to us but it wasn't until this week that we packed up our nature journals to record the beauty God would show us. Still a little nippy, we slipped into jackets, unsure if we'd need gloves. One hour of racing up and down hills, stopping only to shout back to me that they'd spotted a song sparrow or vulture, and we were hooked once again. We're back in the swing of Spring, even if the temperature doesn't always cooperate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thaw... Ahhh

It's trickling out there, that melting snow, and it draws us outdoors to frolic in creation. Our favourite trail beckons us and we say, "yes", slam van doors and sprint to the mulchy path.

Meghan twirls and jumps and freedom brushes wild through her hair. Molly, armed with her collection bag, anticipates nature's goodness. Emily and Oliver race from spindly tree to swampy mud to thick, bullrushy boardwalk, competing in a treasure hunt.

They come alive here and when math is bogging us down or we can't dissect one more paragraph or there's way too many arguments about who gets the green pencil, we enter the most beautiful part of His footstool and activate some Spring-searching. Suddenly, the latent joy is evident again.

(yes, they pose themselves :)

I feel it too, and my mind and heart awaken to the fresh potential of good mommyhood. All is forgiven and here, I am all that I'm meant to be to them. I breathe deeply the crisp air of hope and all is not lost. His mercies are new every morning for this flawed momma who raised her voice for the fifth time and revealed her frustration when the times tables were wrong again. But out here, I receive a fresh dollop of grace before day's end, a renewing that thaws this heart hardened icy with impatience.

"He has put a new song in my mouth... "

Psalm 40:3