HOPING

Spring isn't quite ready to arrive in Santa Fe. It did warm up to 44 degrees today, but we have a couple of months to go before our trees and gardens come to life. However, it doesn't mean I can't enjoy some of those blossoms a bit early. I will clip a few offshoots from the apple tree and forsythia bush, bringing them into the house. Placing them into a vase of water, I will get to see them blossom, bringing a lovely color and fragrance into our home. It is a nice way to keep the spirits up, while the dreary weather lingers on. It leaves us with a sense of hope, of what is to come.
Hope is just what Christ wants us to have. I always think of Job and all he went through. There was one struggle or tragedy after another, but he continued to hope for better things to come. It took awhile, but because of his faith, never giving up, life did get better. The Psalms tell us of having hope in God, aiding us in good times and in bad. Psalm 31:24 tells us, “Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord.” There is even the funny proverb, Proverbs 29:20, “There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”
I love Romans 5:3-5, “We rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us.” Paul gives us an important message in Acts 23:6, “...Fellow Israelites ! I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. I am on trial here because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to life!” How apropos, knowing that at the end of our Lenten season, our sorrow will turn to joy, as we celebrate Christ's resurrection.
The Bible uses the word 'hope' about 150 times. It has a powerful meaning, reminding us to always keep our faith, knowing that if God is in our lives, there is always hope.

VASTNESS

VASTNESS
As I envision the vastness of the sea, never seeing where it ends, my thoughts lead me to another vastness, that of Heaven. Up in the skies there is a mighty Kingdom, God’s Kingdom. It is flowing over with love, stretching into eternity. I try to conceptualize what Heaven looks like, knowing it is a nirvana of divine happiness. God provides His domain with peace, calmness, joy and serenity. The tranquility is one of pure bliss. It is time to relax in this harmonious world. There is no more grieving, sadness, pain, worries or judgment. They have been erased from the mind. It is time now to laugh, sing and dance, and even skip merrily if you want. No one will care.
Elegant pools are endless, holding clear, cold water, ever so pure. How fresh the water is, sipping it, tasting it. Awe-inspiring waterfalls hang over the edge of the pools, pouring their crisp sprays of water into the boundless gardens. Gardens of every kind permeate the Kingdom. There are simple gardens of petunias and massive gardens of iris and orchids, unleashing a fragrance of fine perfume. The lush greens and colors make it an enchanted dreamland. Stepping away from the gardens, there are more pools, this time brimming over with warm water. How nice it is to immerse into the pool, with only the gentlest of wave in it, providing a soothing sense of placidity to the soul.
In the distance, there is music heard. The angels are forever joyful, displaying their exuberance through song. Voices, harps and trumpets create a splendid symphony. There is no time in heaven, meaning there are always jubilant sounds heard, as the warmness of the sun radiates upon them.
This grand empire belonging to God holds the generations of loved ones who have left us. They are waiting patiently to grasp the hands of those who have departed from earth, welcoming them to their new home, a timeless life in Paradise.

LIFE

While relaxing in our outdoor hot tub today, I looked around our yard, dormant in its winter state. Fruit trees are bare, as are the trees providing constant shade during those warm months. Gardens hold their withered leaves, snow hitting before they could be neatly manicured for the cold days ahead. Silent are the singing birds, calling out to one another from their hidden nests. The neighbor behind us, bouncing his basketball and throwing hoops, is inside now, bringing more stillness to the air. Another neighbor’s outdoor grill is not releasing the delicious scents of barbecue, no laughter from those gathered to participate in the celebration. Life isn’t over, though. Sprays of green buds will soon appear on trees, a new garden will appear, and the sounds of chirping birds and crickets, bouncing balls and joyful laughter, will come back again. I thank God for the continuing cycle of life, always filled with new experiences and beauty.