Today the sun is shining brightly! Oh, how it cheers my spirit. There have been times this long winter when we didn't even see the big yellow light in the sky for days.

The Northeast corner of the state that I live in (Arkansas) is often the boundary line between rain and snow. More often than not, it is rain that comes our way.

This winter has been different!

Back in December before snow even crossed the mind of Arkansans, we woke up to freezing rain. Rarely a problem in this middle of the country we live in, we were not overly concerned. The hours began to add up while the freezing rain kept falling. Soon the lights blinked and then blinked again. We discovered the electricity lines had become ice covered and had fallen. That meant no lights, no TV, no cooking and, at our house, no heat.

My husband piled wood high on the fireplace and we felt safe and secure. The grandkids roasted hot dogs and marshmallows that first night. It was fun.

Before morning as the fire flickered low in the fireplace, it began to get a little cool. Blankets we had forgotten about having were brought out from the closet. One day turned into two and then two days turned into three. The fireplace the family had gathered around so joyfully that first night just wasn't keeping us warm.

It wasn't fun anymore!

Finally, on the third night when the temperature in our hallway slithered down to 42 degrees, I told my husband I was heading south. Our daughter and her family who live in a small town about 15 miles south of us had warm heat, hot water, and plenty of cooked food. 

Before I could get a small suitcase gathered up and out the door the electricity came back on. Wow, what a beautiful sight! I sighed and said thank you, Lord. I was sure that we had already witnessed more than our share of freezing rain and snow for one winter.

Was I ever wrong!

In January the white flakes began to fall in abundance. Our grandchildren were so happy. No school for them. Sleds were purchased and our front yard became a slippery playground. The dryer was busy keeping wet, snowy clothes warm and dry as the kids ran in and out of the house. Once again, I said thank you, Lord, for allowing the grandchildren to see so much of that white stuff that is such a rarity for us. But, I just knew this time we had seen the final snow of the season. 

Wrong again!

The sleds were barely put away before the cold snow appeared again. I stood gazing out the front window enjoying the beauty of the secluded cove we live in all covered with the sparkling snow. School was dismissed again. This time the novelty had worn off and the kids decided they would stick to the inside computers and gameboys instead of braving the wet, cold snow. It melted soon, as it often does here, and everyone went back to the hustle and bustle of school, errands, and church activities. Surely, there would be no more snow for us this winter.

Before I could get those words out of my mouth, the local meteorologist appeared on the television screen telling us another cold front was headed our way. And the moisture from the gulf was right for - you guessed it - more snow. His words were never more true. It snowed all day. Huge beautiful flakes added up fast. It was, once more, a lovely sight to behold.

Yet, in my spirit I was sensing enough is enough. Would we ever see warm weather again, was spinning around in my mind. Personally, I was ready for the new life of spring to abound. Visions of green grass, tulips bringing forth their brilliant early blooms, and budding pear trees became so real to me. 

But, it was only February! We still had March to go and often that is the month we experience our coldest weather. What would this year bring?

The yearning in my spirit became a prayer in my heart. And as God so often does, he shows Himself strong in most unusual ways. My day normally starts with a cup of coffee and several devotions that have come during the night on my PC. Opening my inbox, I discovered the first email was not a devotional, but a picture a friend of ours had taken that morning.

And to my delight in the picture I saw nestled under the melting snow, but raising their yellow blooms for the world to see, a patch of early spring crocuses.

New life!

What a beautiful sight for my eyes to enjoy. I sat and stared at the gorgeous flowers thinking how good God is to send over the world wide web, while I was asleep, a picture of His new life.

I began to thank Him for the new life beckoning to me from the monitor of my computer. I thanked Him for my friend who loves to grow beautiful flowers. I thanked him for her husband who enjoys clicking his digital camera and then sharing what he has captured through email.

And then I thanked God for sending Jesus to die on the cross so that all humanity may have new life through Him.

Photos courtesy of Jim and Bea Clouse