With this mild weather I wonder if spring is here to stay. Will there be more snow?

Birds chirp, including the returning robins. Trees break into bloom and the daffodil stems rise from the earth. Today I counted at least 8 narcissus blooms open in my flowerbed. What else will spring from the garden unannounced in the next few days?

At the end of a winter that was not so harsh, and even if it were, I am ready for spring. For things to grow. A yard coming back to life, perennials coming up and showing their early stages of growth.

This life arising from the ground, springing from nature, reminds me of Easter that approaches. We’ve been in the binding days of Lent, the remorse of confession, and the walk toward Easter and the death of Jesus.  God’s supreme act of grace— for us.

It’s almost as though spring is a step ahead of Easter this year. Even if we get more snow, it’s not likely to last long. The promise of growing plants and blossoms on trees often arrives with Easter, bringing two life-giving times at once.

Only  a few weeks away. We can get through this Lent, remembering, acting, and maybe even sacrificing something. Thus far, I have managed to keep my fast of books and magazines, though I have been tempted. Nothing at all like Christ’s temptation to be free of the cross. Not even close. It’s so hard to take in sometimes. So hard that so many find it foolishness, but we know better, or strive to know.

We may cry, wishing to be free of certain hardships, some looking for jobs to feed their families; women in crisis, escaping abuse, and taking their children to a place of safety. Things we can help with. Is this a place we can come to recognize the sorrow, to offer some relief like a glass of water for someone who is thirsty, or a bag of groceries for someone down on their luck?

It could be me, Lord—hungry or thirsty. You’ve blessed me so that I can go and offer that food and drink, in as far as I am able.

Help us through Lent, Lord, and bring us to Easter and resurrection.