Retard the gentle spring awhile;
The sun will conqu’ror prove at last,
And nature wear a vernal smile.
The promise, which from age to age,
Has brought the changing seasons round;
Again shall calm the winter’s rage,
Perfume the air, and paint the ground.
The virtue of that first command,
I know still does, and will prevail;
That while the earth itself shall stand,
The spring and summer shall not fail.
Such changes are for us decreed;
Believers have their winters too;
But spring shall certainly succeed,
And all their former life renew.
Winter and spring have each their use,
And each, in turn, God’s people know;
One kills the weeds their hearts produce,
The other makes their graces grow.
Though like dead trees awhile they seem,
Yet having life within their root,
The welcome spring’s reviving beam
Draws forth their blossoms, leaves, and fruit.
But if the tree indeed be dead,
It feels no change, though spring return,
Its leafless naked, barren head,
Proclaims it only fit to burn.
Dear Lord, afford our souls a spring,
Thou know’st our winter has been long;
Shine forth, and warm our hearts to sing,
And thy rich grace shall be our song.
This poem seems to reflect my soul right now. The rainy, cloudy days hide the sunlight and the warmth typical of May waits off in some distant land. Water lies about in fields and backyard’s and in some places flooding roads. And too many times in the last month I have had to share sad news.
Spring “ blahs” are not usually I deal with; there are some spring flowers popping their heads up in our gardens but this morning they too are looking a little a worse for wear after a day of rain.
It is here that I turn to my relationship with God – I rant a little and then thank my Creator for her presence with me. I also, occasionally, apologize to God for the damage done to our environment by humanity – even me. Admittedly my lifestyle is so much different now that 40 years ago and I am much more aware of recycling, re-using and reducing; we live a simpler lifestyle.
But the reality of living in a rural community means we have to use automobiles to get around. If I lived in an urban setting, I would miss the beauty of creation greeting me every morning – even in the rain. So God, afford my soul a spring, our winter has been long; shine forth, and warm my hearts to sing, And your rich grace shall be my song.
ed by many of my colleagues in rural ministry to begin this blog. Most of you are writing your own liturgies influenced by the context in which you minister – the rural church.