This has been the wettest, coldest spring in years, but still the daffodils and tulips bloom from pails in the grocery stores, trees blossom, and fresh, pale leaves appear, Dutch iris and other bulbs in our front yard are clothed in glorious lavender and white, and new life bursts forth from a land that, like Narnia, seemed trapped in Winter only a few weeks ago.
Spring is a time of new birth in the animal world as well--baby birds break from their eggs, young kittens and puppies frolic, and colts and calves stand on wobbling legs. Easter chicks and bunnies abound.
At our house, all thoughts and talk center on new baby Katyana LaRoe, born April 5 to daughter Kathy and son-in-law Andy Hall. Katyana brings new life to oldsters like Frank and me and to her Uncle Robert, and new challenges and depths of love to her doting parents.
They brought her to church Easter morning, where she was oohed and aahed over by a loving congregation and introduced as the newest member of the Culver Palms family.
Despite the fact that she arrived four weeks before her official due date (babies don’t care much about calendars and such), friends and family had her nursery stocked with a generous assortment of baby clothes, blankets, and other accoutrements.
“Grandchildren are a special gift from God,” Melvia Jones told me, and I’m not inclined to doubt it. Spring and new life and new babies and new generations are a reminder of God’s promise of renewal and resurrection that brings hope and delight to our lives.
This month's website includes the story of our family's joyful new birth, a meditation on the new life we have in Christ, and an interview with my friend Toby, who has experienced new births in her own life.
I’d love to hear from you in response to the website. I hope you’ll suggest topics that you’re interested in and let me know if the site is helpful to you. This is my website, but I believe in sharing. You can reach me at b.silvey@sbcglobal.net. |
