Spring lambs...

When the landscape begins to green, there is an excitement about all things new.  As Easter approaches, we associate this time of year with birth and replenishment.  This is where lambs come into the picture. Spring is lambing season.  Those sweet little creatures frolic in the meadows and soon grow into woolly sheep.

Sheep are known to be followers. They follow to green pastures.  In Biblical times, sheep knew the sound of their shepherd's voice.  Even when grazing among other flocks, sheep would follow their own shepherd, not the voice of another. They were devoted to their shepherd because he would care for them.

"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36.

Sheep are mentioned more times in the Bible than any other animal. Jesus was lovingly called the Lamb of God. And, aside from spring lambs, we are God's sheep and the people of His pasture. God cares for all of us and asks us simply to follow Him. His great compassion and love is enough to guide us through life.

This Easter season brings great joy and reaffirmation of faith.  Jesus was crucified for us so that we may know and follow our Good Shepherd. How blessed we are to be among His flock!

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11.

Song of spring...

One morning you wake up and you just know.  Spring is arriving!  The song of spring is heard in the early morning, when the birds signal the beginning of a beautiful day.  The warbler calls out from above. Choruses of wrens and sparrows sing across the breeze.

Spring lifts our hearts with the song of color. The new beginnings of creation are evident in the landscape of life. Renewal in each blade of grass. The vivid hues of azaleas, wisteria and dogwoods speak to us like a famous painting or a special Bible verse. Each tree in our view eclipses the last in shades of spring green.
Life has begun anew and we are watching it, up close and personal!

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come..." Song of Solomon 2:12.

And, in each of our lives comes the realization that we are here for the present, to enjoy God's glorious gifts. His masterpiece of color shines around us and within us.  It is with regeneration of Spirit that we shine in the light of day. Spring! How can we not share the joy?

"As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field." Psalm 103:15.

Unconditional love

"Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives."

John Galsworthy
 

How blessed we are, that God created such a wide variety of animals! Pets are one of the great joys in our lives. They patiently wait on us, happily greet us, and...best of all, they love us unconditionally. They provide endless comfort, adapt to new babies, and supply wonderful entertainment. 



We treat them like our kids, scolding them when they dig in the yard or bark at company, but we quickly forgive them because we love them like family.



When our pets suffer, we recognize our own mortality. We pray, asking God to gently guard these special creatures He has made. We whisper caring words and provide necessary medication. When it is time to let them go, we cry. We cry because we know there is no replacement for such dear companions who have devoted a lifetime to loving us.

"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."Job 12:10