Each spring when the blooming cherry tree in front of the original building is dressed in all her spring glory, I am reminded of Spring 2022. On April 24th of that year, this congregation and this pastor committed to walking together in faith and ministry. That tree will always remind me of the promises of that day to walk forward together into a new life.
This year the spring blooms have even more meaning for me, following a long winter of SO MUCH SNOW and cancer treatments. Daily I am in awe of the trees and spring bulbs that have thrown off winter with such flagrant abandon!
The prophet Jeremiah, in his encouragement to the Jewish people that their dark winter of displacement would end, reminded them too of the spring bloom.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear! (Jeremiah 35:1-4b).
A desert bloom isn’t as vibrant as a northern spring bloom, but it is no less profound. Having lived in the Pacific Southwest for eight years, I came to deeply appreciate the ways a prickly, dehydrated looking cactus could grow such delicate blooms. It felt miraculous that winter in the desert could end with fragile, colorful blossoms on brutal looking plants.
I talk about plants a lot in this space (and the pulpit!), because their mere presence seems like a miracle. Not only their presence, but the proliferation! Jeremiah wanted the displaced Israelites to keep faith that God’s good will would prevail in a world steeped in so much darkness, just like the desert spring bloom would prevail after the dry season.
As you walk or drive past trees flaunting their colors, remember this: God’s will for renewal and new life is no less for us than it was for the ancient Israelites. Let the trees remind us of this!
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
