When Hope Dangles from the Tree in Your Front Yard
After a delicious taste of summer in Florida last week, we’ve returned to a delectable sliver of spring here in the Midwest. The trees in our yard have begun to bud, the tulips outside our front door have pushed their green-bodied stems proudly through the dirt, and the daffodils by our mailbox are sporting happy yellow smiles. It appears that winter has packed her bags and spring is here to stay.
We spied our first fat robin hopping about the yard yesterday as we patted sand-cakes in the sand box. The very sight of spring’s orange-bellied harbinger made Josh toss his plastic yellow shovel in the air like a spontaneous firework and clap his hands in anticipation.
He knows that at our house the first robin of the year beckons a response. So today we’ll thread our tree branches with rainbows–strips of cheerful yarn and a dazzling draperies of ribbon– in hopes that our little feathered friend will find what it needs to build a beautiful nest.
He knows that at our house the first robin of the year beckons a response. So today we’ll thread our tree branches with rainbows–strips of cheerful yarn and a dazzling draperies of ribbon– in hopes that our little feathered friend will find what it needs to build a beautiful nest.
This hanging of color in the wake of winter’s exit is a new but favorite tradition for us, an idea we borrowed from a sweet little children’s book called Miss Mudle’s Holidays. Miss Muddle is a whimsical character who believes that the best way to mark the ordinary moments of life is to celebrate them. Without a doubt, she’s a woman after my own heart! As we string our rainbow welcome upon the trees today, I’ll remind my little ones of another tree. A tree laced with the crimson blood of Christ and draped with the brilliant colors of an unfathomable love.
And on this first day of spring on this twenty-eighth day of Lent, we’ll celebrate the grace that dangles from Calvary’s ancient branches. Grace for all seasons.
Then while my children hang hope for the birds, I may just drop to my knees in the muddy grass beneath those branches and thank my Savior for the hope He’s strung for me. Because of His offering on that old rugged tree, this flawed and broken nest we call home is laced with ribbons of joy and threads of glory. Hallelujah!
The Overflow: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. –Galatians 6:14
Linking up today with a daily walk in his grace
and journey to epiphany
and God bumps, too– a must read today!
What a lovely tradition! I always celebrate lacey day. The day the leaves are half unfurled and turn the sky into a lacey bride…
I live in the Midwest as well, and can’t believe how incredible the weather has been. I feel like God is looking down and blessing us {I’m originally from the South}with this weather.
What a great tradition you have started with your kids!
What a wonderful idea! Love how you are celebrating life and LIFE with Jesus with your little ones…Such beauty!
Love that idea! And you are teaching your little ones such valuable lessons! Thanks for the glimpse into your beautiful spring! And I’d love to see what the birds nests look like with your nest-couture!