Snowdrops

"Ah, I hear him - my beloved! Here he comes, leaping upon the mountains and bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or young deer. Look, there he is behind the wall, now looking in at the windows.

"My beloved said to me, 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here. The leaves are coming out and the grape vines are in blossom. How delicious they smell! Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.' "

Song of Solomon 2: 8-13 (TLB)

It felt like winter has lasted all year. Allison Lynn, from Ontario, Canada, was tired of salting the sidewalk, drying out wet boots, and scraping the car windows. Her mood reflected the dark, short days. Allison needed a change, a sign of hope.

As she trudged up the icy walkway to her front door, she noticed a tiny speck of green. It was tucked up against the side of the house where the snow had melted from the warmth of the foundation. There, growing out of the moist earth, was the tiny tip of a snowdrop - a white flower that signals the coming of spring. Today's verse from Song of Solomon rang through Allison's head like a melody. This was her sign of hope. Just as God had promised new life was returning.

Although it wasn't a full-blown vision of spring, it was a start. That small flower reminded Allison that God will do the same thing in her if she is open to it. God provides all that we need for seeds of faith planted years ago to take root in our lives. At the proper time they will grow.

Prayer: Loving God, help me to remember the promises you've planted in our hearts. We trust in you as our true foundation, in Jesus' name. Amen.