Springtime has arrived early in Carmel, Maine this year. Usually in April we still have frost too deep to be able to work the ground. Not this year. We have already had days with temperatures to almost 90! The robins are back, the hummingbirds are flitting about, and the Phoebes are calling their mates. 

 

One way I know spring has arrived is that as I sit here in my living room chair, I can see the gnarled old oak tree that stands beside our house where constantly chattering squirrels are chasing each other. The nuthatches go up and down that same tree seeking succulent insects to eat under its bark. The chickadees sit on twiggy branches cracking the black oil sunflower seeds my husband, Larry, provides for them. Gold and purple finches sit gracefully on the feeder's pegs eating as they sway in the breeze.    

 

Another way I know it is spring is the pain in my body. No, it's not from sickness, but from lazy muscles that have rested the past few months. As my daughter, Karen, and I till and weed the gardens, the demand to bend and stretch causes them to flare up and resist. Getting down on my knees is simple; getting up, not so easy. While reaching forward to pull out some ornery weeds, low back muscles screamed, Enough! Neck, leg and arm muscles shouted, Stop! Finally, I had to concede and quit for the day. Ibuprofen became a very good friend of mine this past week. 

 

I love white flowers in a grouping. When we moved to Maine, one of our first yard projects was to cut out an area on the front lawn for my white garden. We planted white daisies, white peonies with a beautiful touch of magenta in them, white bleeding hearts, white lilies, white ground cover and other perennials, and some annual white plants. 

 

Last year we weren't able to take care of the white garden and it became overrun with weeds. But this year Karen and I spent many hours digging, weeding, yanking and reshaping this garden. Karen divided the plants and set them in their proper order of height. Once satisfied she had them where they would develop into the best design, she replanted and watered them. 

As I sit now pondering the natural flow of God's creation, it occurs to me that I have other lazy muscles, too. One is my faith muscle. If I'm not diligent in exercising this particular muscle, it atrophies and belief can become very difficult. For this muscle to remain strong and limber, I must pray daily. 

But prayer is only half the training this muscle needs. It also requires the rigorous application of a sincere desire to please God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6). 

Another that needs exercising regularly is my hope muscle. I can't afford to become a lazy Christian who doesn't expect, anticipate and confidently hope for the return of Jesus. He said He will return, and if He said it, I believe it. (John 14:3) My belief blossoms from my hope; my hope grows in my confidence; and my confidence is firmly rooted in my faith in the one true God. 

If anyone would like a strong muscle of faith, hope, and confidence, he need only read the Word of God, for, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17).

I'm going outside now in the beautiful sunshine God has given us for today. I will listen as the birds sing their praises to the Lord and watch the antics of the squirrels as I exercise a little more. No, I won't be working in the gardens. I will be reading the Word of God and stretching my faith.