Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)
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 (ESV)
For Reflection:
Springtime is one season I look forward to with great anticipation each year. I can’t wait for the seed catalog to come in the mail so that I can spend countless hours combing through the pages on cold winter nights, dreaming about my summer garden. I carefully sort through my current seeds and list ones I need to refresh this year, checking on my soil and container supplies. As I prepare and dream, I can practically feel myself mixing dirt with warm water, creating a perfect cozy space for each individual seed as I push it lovingly into its new home with a gentle encouragement to, “grow strong little buddy, you’re doing amazing”.
I know that soon enough my seedlings will be growing their best, stretching for sunlight, encouraged each day by my offering of lightly spritzed water, help from the warmth of grow lamps and of course, constant encouragement spoken over them, “grow strong little buddies, you’re doing amazing.”
I wonder what about gardening creates such anticipation and tender care in me. I ponder and reflect if maybe it has to do with giving life to something good and helping to produce beauty. Perhaps it’s the fact that spring comes carrying a hope of renewal from the cold, dark days; a promise for warmth and light and newness. Plants tucked beneath the icy cold surface of the earth reawaken from months of quiet stillness, refreshed and renewed, ready to grow strong and beautiful for all to see.
But what about me? What does refreshed and renewed look like or feel like to me? More than 8 hours of sleep? A long vacation on a tropical island? A hike in God’s creation? We are promised in Lamentations that the Lord’s love never ceases and that His mercies are new every morning. We can awake refreshed and renewed in the promise that God loves us and renews our spirit each day. We are not alone on this journey called life, but are instead cared for by the Master Gardener as He tends to each of us with His tender love and mercy. I picture myself as God’s seedling, tucked gently in the soil waiting to be watered, nurtured and cared for, encouraged with loving words each day. I smile as I picture God spritzing me with water as His mercies wash over me. And as I sit with this image I hear His tender words, “grow strong little buddy, you’re doing amazing.”
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your tender mercies that wash over me each day. Help me to awaken renewed each morning, fully aware of your love and mercy. Thank you for your promise of hope and renewal, evidenced in your creation. Open my eyes to see the beauty of the world around me and to appreciate with wonder all that you have made new, tending gently with care and love. Renew my heart, my mind and my spirit as I enter today with anticipation for all you have in store for me. I love you. Amen.
I wonder what awaking renewed might feel like to me
Where do I see God’s promise of renewal around me?