I love spring. I love that the birds are out chirping again, and the plants and flowers are beginning to emerge. I love the promise of spring, which is that "better days are coming". I love the fact that I can pull out my golf clubs, finally, and get outdoors to do something that brings me joy.
I get great joy at seeing the Saucer Magnolia tree in my backyard begin to bloom. The colors of off-white and mauve against the backdrop of the wintered branches is amazing. And the smell; oh, the smell! How wonderful it is to have the scent of the magnolia coming through the open windows. It fills our house with fragrances that remind me of Louisiana. But the magnolias come too soon, for me. The magnolias bloom before the leaves come on the tree. The magnolias bloom while the winds and rain of spring begin to blow and pour. and, too soon, they blow in the wind and fade away like a dream unrealized.
So, I better enjoy it while I can. Such is life. Life is full of great smells, and great sites, and great sights, and great sounds and great ideas and great people. But, they come and go. So enjoy them while you can.
You only have one life to live on this earth and one chance to live it. And after this life, you and I will have to stand before God to give an account of how well we lived - spiritually and naturally. Jesus told us to consider the lilies of the field. Proverbs tell us to go to the ant. Genesis reminds us to til the ground. A part of our assignment is to be aware of our environment, and to maximize it for the purpose of knowing God and fulfilling his will.
Add to your spiritual repertoire the idea that as you observe God's creation, you will learn more about Him. Don't allow media and machines and the routine of work to block your view of a magnolia tree. Perhaps, God is speaking to you through it.
Observe.
Beauty is all around you and God is in it.