March 12 – “Ah, Spring”

Ah, working in the yard.  Another sure sign that Spring is in the air.  And in the weeds.  And in the concrete blocks to repair the patio.  And in the bags of dirt to fill the holes in the yard left when the magnolia tree and the pecan tree came down last year (Was that just last year?  Seems like a lifetime ago).  And in the evil plants that grow in a circle and crush the life out of the Saint Augustine grass.  And in the weed and feed product that continues to get more and more expensive every year.  And in the lawn mower that keeps on sputtering in spite of a new spark plug.  And in the incredibly sore muscles.   On a more positive note, Spring is also in the baseball practices that Jachin and Micah have begun.  And the tiny little buds that are finally appearing on one of our two free sycamore trees that we got from the city's giveaway last year (Gives me hope that the other one – the bigger of the two, the one that we were counting on to give us shade in the evenings - will show signs of life soon.  And the green sticking out on the little bushes that last year were covered by the onslaught of periwinkles in the front flowerbed.  And the tiniest sign of life on the poinsettia that Chris was sure succumbed to the freeze.  And the wee little round things that look like what I assume satsumas look like (I don't remember ever seeing one in real life) on the satsuma tree we planted.    Of course on a larger scale, you know Spring is here because conference basketball tournaments are in full swing, leading up to March Madness.  And the Astros are in full swing (At least some of them are.  I saw where that new first baseman finally got some hits yesterday).  And my wedding appointment book is beginning to fill up.  I had two this week.  One was for an older couple who wanted to get married on the beach.  It was just the two of them and another couple who were friends of theirs who acted as their photographer and videographer.  Tonight I do another one at the San Luis Hotel.  This couple was married by a justice of the peace earlier, but they wanted to have a Christian wedding as well.  The bride is a non-practicing Moslem from the Philippines, so I'm looking forward to sharing the gospel.  They have some of the most interesting names I have heard in awhile.  Titik is the bride.  Her bridesmaids include Titin and Chili ("Like the hot peppers" is how she introduced herself).  Another one said her name was Budiyana, but to call her Boodie.    Ah, Spring.   Isaiah 51:5 says, "My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations.  The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm."   Father, this is one island that really needs you.  We're waiting.  Help us remember to be looking … expecting … as well.