Something new is in the air in spring

The arrival of spring always seems to catch us off guard. For months we have been bundled up in scarves and sweaters, trudging to our destinations with boots and hats, moping around under the gray skies and cold wind.

Slowly, as a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, the signs of spring begin to take shape. Buildings and cars seem to reflect the bright sun. Gray skies are replaced by blues of various shades. The grass migrates from browns to yellowish tints to deep, rich green.

Spring, with all of its sights and smells, has snuck up you. Like all hunters who wait and stalk out their prey, we have hunted the warm air, fresh flowers and green grass of spring. Then in a flash the hunter becomes the hunted and spring has overtaken its prey. Spring devours her prey with color and warmth and sonnets of Red Breasted Robins.

Most of us live at such a high rate of speed that we miss being consumed by spring. The sights and sounds of spring can be a glorious blessing if we slow down enough to actually hear and see them. Proverbs 20:12 reminds us that "The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both." Not just the ability to pick up sight and sound but the gift of hearing and seeing.

Hearing is more that distinguishing between sounds, just as seeing is more than sight. Both lead us to an understanding of what is being said behind the sounds. Hearing is more than the birds and the breeze, it is slowing to hear what your spouse is really saying. Hearing what your friends need from you. Seeing how you can show your child how much you love them. Seeing a neighbor in distress and hearing how you might be able to help. Hearing your own soul and seeing what it's longing for.

Spring presents her wares in an opportunity to slow and experience the blessing of the Lord to hear and to see the glorious splendor that he has fashioned. As an old adage says, "God gave you two ears, two eyes and one mouth so you would hear twice as much, see twice as often and speak only once." Slow to hear and see the signs of spring. Slow to hear and see the blessing of the Lord.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.