Lent begins in the grip of winter, when spring seems far away. Gardens are covered with snow, and it’s hard to imagine flowers poking green buds through that icy crust. The sun at the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday is February 21) is weak and not very warming. Night still comes early and lasts a long time. Sadly, the delight of Jesus’ birth at Christmas has already passed, and the joy of His Easter Resurrection seems so far away.

At the beginning of Lent, our hearts, like the sun, may be tired and weak. We wonder if spring will ever come. Yet, as the six weeks of our Lenten observance progresses, we will see signs of new life: warmer temperatures, earlier dawns and later sunsets, more wildlife activity, and maybe even tiny buds appearing.

What about our world inside? Inside our homes, inside our church, inside our own hearts? Will we experience new life this year? Are we energizing urselves to follow Jesus, even as the cold temperatures outside threaten to freeze us in our efforts?

Spiritual spring begins with a decision - your decision to seek the warmth of God’s heart as His Son, Jesus, touches you through the victories of your personal Lenten disciplines. As a church family, let’s each commit to daily devotions (pick up your copy of “Your Nail” in worship on Sunday, February 18), daily Bible reading, weekly participation in a small group for spiritual growth, and hourly acts of kindness, hospitality, and charity.

Your personal decision to do these things will not only warm your heart, it will trigger a spiritual spring that will lead each of us to the triumphs of the Easter Resurrection.

Warmest blessings for your deepest spiritual season ahead,

~Rev. Linda