April Showers Bring May Flowers

         With bees moving from flower to flower and the ever-pleasant melodic notes of singing birds carried on the warm air, the season of spring blooms with mystery and intrigue.  The barren winter landscape of dead grass and bare trees slowly begins to blossom with the pastels of spring.  Nature awakens from its winter slumber to greet a new day full of scurrying life and activity.  Hillsides become a colorful collage of wildflowers that stretch for the heavens, as onlookers smell the crisp perfume of spring flowers in a heavenly pastoral scene. The fruitfulness of spring encourages us all that that hope will bud in the midst of our sorrow.  

Unfortunately, spring brings the deadliest of storms.  Spring storms build as cool and warm air rage above us, while their violent whirlwinds blow wherever they please.  Life and death continue their eternal dance across the world, taking and giving with each move. 

Yet, God’s mercies are new each morning.  There is a plethora of things to lament over, but once the storms have passed and the coldness of winter has left, will we enjoy God’s spring flowers?  Moreover, will we enjoy them with loved ones?  Will we step away from the busyness of life and participate in the beautiful subtlety of tulips and togetherness?   

The theme of steadfast love is undeniable in the Song of Songs.  Verses 11 through 13 of the second chapter depict a scene of two lovers enjoying the beauty of spring.  The challenge for Christians in Song of Songs 2:11-13 is to learn how to celebrate in God’s creation with someone they adore.  It is important to “stop and smell the roses” with people who love you.  You never know when you all have weathered your last April shower and smelled your last May flower, together.