Hope springs eternal

Have you ever noticed how many idioms, have the word ‘Spring’ in them.

For example, we might say, someone has a ‘spring in their step’, when they are walking energetically or with liveliness, or we might need to ‘spring into action’ and start doing something quickly or suddenly, when we hear an alarm bell ringing for example.

We might say that we have ‘spring fever’, by which we mean a feeling of restlessness of excitement felt at the beginning of spring as we look forward to spending more time outdoors. This restlessness of course, may also lead us to a bit of ‘spring cleaning’, and sometimes we might hear someone say, that someone is ‘no spring chicken’, perhaps meaning someone who is not so young as they used to be.

As Spring has now sprung, I wonder what it is about spring, that lends itself so readily to so many sayings, and I guess, there is something around the freshness and newness of spring.

Having just gone through the darkest, coldest season, with trees bereft of leaves, as Spring arrives, it feels like we have turned a corner and there is a fresh sense of hope in the air, which is sure to put a spring in our step. Our gardens and countryside are slowly being transformed as creation works its wonders, hedgerows are taking on a subtle green hew, that over the coming weeks and months will grow stronger, the spring bulbs are bravely breaking through the ground and bringing life and colour back, and soon there will be more and more lambs springing merrily across the fields.

Which reminds me of another idiom, ‘hope springs eternal’. In this season of spring, we are reminded that hope springs eternal, hope never dies, there is always hope. As we look around us and see so many signs of new life, our hope is renewed. And I am reminded that in Lamentations we are told, ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.’ (Lamentations 3:22-23) Hope springs eternal.

I pray that as you travel through this season of Spring, with all its signs of new life and hope, that you will take hope in the steadfast love of the Lord.

May God Bless you

Heather