For the past month I have gone out to observe the tulip tree we planted last year in honor of my Dad. Last year on March 12, Dad went home to be with Jesus. We planted a beautiful little tulip tree in his honor in hopes that it would flourish and bloom every Spring. I have faithfully been watching over our tulip tree and protecting it from freezing temperatures by covering it at night when the temperature drops to 32 or below. I have been rewarded by the little buds that I see on several branches. While looking again this morning, I saw the buds were getting bigger and showed more color. This afternoon I saw the first bloom. This made me so happy.
There is something refreshing about seeing things come to life each Spring. Technically we are 17 days away before the first day of Spring but I’m seeing evidence of life and that brings such happiness and hope.
Hope is a beautiful thing. Hope brings joy and anticipation of better things ahead. Out of curiosity I just asked my iPad the exact definition of hope. When the wrong definition came up, I thought “ What in the world”! I looked up and noticed it had misunderstood me. I started cracking up when I saw the word poop. I kid you not! You can’t make these things up! The iPad technology had misunderstood me by a long shot. Trying again, I made sure to pronounce each letter. This time the correct definition came up. Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. (That’s more like it).
Indeed it is hope that I feel when seeing flowers bloom and signs of Spring. I experience the anticipation of new life emerging after a cold dark winter. The longer and warmer days are a plus as well.
We have a few weeks left of winter. Let me challenge you to begin to look with anticipation for signs of new life emerging all around.
Check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Park Road Books. My story of learning to live triumphantly despite disabilities, through Gods strength and lessons He has taught me along the way. Be inspired!
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
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