April is a month we all seem to love and despise all at the same time. The beautiful blooms that provide such an array of color that provokes smiles on all of our faces while at the same time, that yellow powdery stuff makes our eyes swell and our nose overreact and we are miserable. Then there are the on and off storms that come from the quickly changing temperatures of spring’s arrival. We love that the rain washes all of the pollen from our cars but we despise the terrifying experience of the storm’s torrential downpours and tornadic winds and damage, not to mention the lightening striking so frequently. We quickly forget the beauty that April brought us when the storms come through. It hammers down those azalea blooms and strips the new tender leaves blooming on the trees. We forget the beauty while grimacing at the ugliness left behind. We have to remember the recovery process is quick and very soon new buds are forming and the beauty of renewal is blooming right before us again!

“Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming. He will come to us like rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” -Hosea 6:3

We don’t always have the beauty of life without going through the harder parts first. There is hope in renewal and without those storms of life, we don’t seem to appreciate the beauty of that renewal. Even through these hard parts we should strive to find the blessings in them (the pollen was washed away). Having faith and knowing we can “bloom” again is the greatest gift we have been given. Have faith, embrace the storms, live in the beauty of that renewal.

Marcia K. Horn,
Director of Recreation Ministry
Christ United Methodist Church