February 27, 2023
So this week, Georgia's weather burst forth in glorious warmth. Gone were the frigid temps that greeted me each morning since sometime last fall. I am excited because I love warm weather!
Have you noticed the presence of color in our landscape? With the abundant winter rains, spring bulbs have sprouted and erupted, sprinkling the world with the bright yellow hues of daffodils and jonquils. I always thought the appearance of these unique blooms meant the browns and grays of winter would soon give way to spring!
I noticed redbud trees were flowering during our Sunday drive to and from church. Which brings up the question that no one ever seems to answer...why are they called REDBUD trees when they are pinky-purple?
Our lesson in Bible Study this morning included a verse that the apostle Peter quotes from Isaiah:
All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
A smile came to my lips when I cross-referenced the quote and found it part of the familiar Isaiah chapter forty. It is a passage of comfort, preparation, anticipation, and promise. First, in Isaiah's prophecy, we glimpse John the Baptist: "a voice of one calling: in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord?" And then, to finish, we find that God is everlasting, untiring, and understanding:
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Another sight we enjoyed this morning was a flock of wild turkeys crossing Tyus Road near the Little Tallapoosa River. Upon our approach, three of the hens turned around to head back to the safety of the forest. Then we noticed a stunning tom turkey as he strutted, his colorful tail feathers spread in a splendid display. I would not have witnessed nature at its finest if I had not slowed down. While they did not soar as majestic eagles, they reminded me that our Creator made each of them unique.
Yes, I know it is still February, and history has shown that winter isn't quite over (think the March Blizzard of 1993), but there are enough signs and wonders that indicate that the seasons are changing. And I welcome the transformation!
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