Springing Forward

A devotion by my wife Beth, written for our church to complement the Sunday sermon. 

Springing forward

By Beth Stroble

It is the season for welcome rituals, returns of long-awaited traditions, and a mix of life changes that are surprising, delightful, and in some cases, dismaying.  For me, as the university has embraced a mask-optional policy and begun to convene in-person events, I have felt like the groundhog coming out of my hole.  It is wonderful to see so many smiling faces, to feel safely present with others, and to have warmth and sunshine reappear in our midst.

I am happily re-potting indoor plants, transitioning garden flags from winter to spring motifs, participating in a virtual Nowruz event that celebrates the spring equinox, and making a few travel plans for the coming months. It’s time to send winter coats to be cleaned, to wear bright colors, and to change the clocks for more evening daylight.   

At the same time, this season has brought farewells to the forefront—a dear friend in Florida and two beloved faculty members whom we will memorialize this spring. So many have left us during this time of isolation, departing without the customary gatherings of family and friends. The return of formal leave-taking captures our need for communal mourning, comforting, and celebrating, and for that I am grateful. This spring brings our first in person commencement since 2019—a joyous and fitting occasion for wishing graduates well in their journeys.  And, of course, at Webster Hills, we, too, will experience a time of transition as Linda's ministry takes her to a new community and congregation.

It is a time to reflect on what we can create anew in a season of growth.  How will we spring forward?  How will our gardens grow? Will we turn over a new leaf? Is there a spring in our step? Will what we undertake bear good and abundant fruit?

Jesus’ parable of the gardener and the fig tree should encourage us in this season and always.  Just as the gardener extends grace to the fig tree that has not yet produced figs, we should feel God’s affirming and all-encompassing love for us simply as we are—people on a path to greater love, service, and sacrifice in Jesus’ name.  The warmth of God’s love for us should spur us on to a season of renewal, a desire to fill ourselves to the brim with love and care for members of our community, near and far.  When we revert to thinking that somehow our own efforts and results are the basis of God’s acceptance and salvation, we deny ourselves the true gift of God’s grace and limit our ability to embrace those around us, flawed as we are ourselves.

Let us turn our faces to the Lord in this season, seeking to change our hearts and our lives in ways that reflect the love of the Lord.  May our cup runneth over.  Praise God!