Living in the World
Spring in the ECD

It is finally spring at the Eastern Continental Divide. On Easter Sunday we had 4 inches of snow and just a week ago it was cold with snow and raw wind. But, over the weekend we seemed to have turned the corner from winter. The summer like temperatures of the last few days will be replaced by more temperate, spring like ones.

Back in 1985, my father wrote a book for his grandsons about his life on the farm entitled Grandpa: His Life at the Old Homestead and Beyond, (Clearfield, PA: SGM Press, 1985, 2006). After his death it was reprinted with a new forward by his grandson, Lucas. In it, dad recounts his impressions of the seasons at the old homestead. Here is a small portion about spring:

On dawn in the Spring, you realize that you have been watching the leaves coming out on the maple, oak, beech and hickory and witch hazel tree as they all come to life as God has said that they should every spring. You see the apple, pear, peach, cherry and plum trees, as they respond to the Creator’s call. It’s time to awaken and show your beautiful coats of color as the blossoms break into full bloom. Under the trees, in the grass, you will see a strange little flower growing. It is multi colored, from a deep orange to a bright red to a brownish-yellow. This is the Indian paintbrush. Lucas and Robbie, I have shown you the Indian paintbrush. As the blossoms on the trees come out and get into full bloom the bees arrive to pick up their share of sweet nectar. They return it to their hive and make it into honey. They too have a part in the plan of God’s world. The bees come into the blossom, pick the nectar out of the blossom and crawl over it flying from one blossom to another. The bees make the flowers grow together. They are mating like male and female. If it weren’t for that we would have no fruit or berries.
As Spring arrives again, Lucas, do you recall that we talked about what happened? The days are getting longer. As he days get warmer, you can see the crocus coming up in the yard. The Easter Lilies are also coming out. All the bright colors are once again to do those things the Master has put them on earth for. That is to brighten up the earth, to fulfill the promise of constant life for all plants and for all mankind and animals. We are coming into a time when activity starts to grow again in the country side. If you listen very carefully you can hear the cattle in the pasture field. It is time for the morning milking. The older cows are talking to their calves. Probably just to let them know they are there. You can smell the fresh earth turned as the plowing and spring planting begins (pp. 34-5).

These are impressions of a time that has largely passed. But, we can all take time to use our senses to enjoy the coming of the Creator’s miracle of spring wherever you live. After all, it is here for us to enjoy and savor. It points to Him and glorifies Him. Maybe we would love Him more if we took time, as grandpa did, to appreciate His creation.