On the Verge of Beauty

We've had a few wonderful sunny days in the beautiful Northwest. Spring arrives and warm sunny days blend into warm rainy days. (Hey....it's Seattle) Which makes the grass grow faster and the trees change with equal dramatic flair.

Winter's here are long and grey. The deciduous trees are bare and branchy and rather ugly. But when spring warms the area, everything begins to be on the verge of beauty.

Take this sticky little tree for instance. All winter long I barely noticed it, other than trying not to let its branches scratch the cars in our crowded driveway.

I almost missed the green buds forming, but what really delighted me was about a half dozen pink pretties poking out of their leafy cocoon. With anticipation I watch the little dogwood tree, waiting for it to burst into a lovely pink array of glory.

Sometimes we have seasons of winter in our lives that seem to last forever. Whether its finances, jobs, family illnesses, instability... the list could go on, but I've never known a winter that didn't have a spring follow it. The trees won't remain barren beyond their dormant season.

Although sometimes we feel like the bare branches of winter, take hope in the fact that spring is guaranteed to come and we will be on the verge of beauty too. I'm watching in anticipation for many of you to burst with your crown of beauty.

"...and bestow upon them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3