Every year we dispute with the birds over who gets the ripe blueberries. We desire the fruit for eating yummy things like jellies, pies, or cobblers. However, our feathered friends are looking for a quick and easy source of food.

The early morning resonates with songs of birds as they return. Flowers and trees stretch forth their buds and leaves. The gardens burst with beautiful colors, infusing my soul with hope in this time of renewal. All around me, creation shouts, “Spring is coming!” However, this March morning I awoke to a light blanket of snow covering the trees and flowers, reminding me that sometimes the transition between seasons can be bumpy.

Christmas, rushing towards us, is a time of mixed messages and demands. We are encouraged to give to those in need and at the same time, are creatively targeted to desire items that we surely must want. We are implored to spend money on those around us while being admonished to have a simple Christmas. Adding children into the mix, we also hear their message, “but Mom…” So many voices vie for our attention in this season.