I love the seasons, as they change the smells, sounds and feel of the entire countryside shifts. Here in the Carolinas spring has arrived, somewhat abruptly only a few weeks ago we had frost nearly every morning. Now it is officially warming up – the herbs, peppers and tomatoes are planted. This time of sowing and seeing what happens has an amazing spiritual significance, working with nature to bring life in order to improve the scenery all around us. It is also a time for building up the summer tan and getting rid of the winter ‘middle’ that seems to arrive over Christmas and stubbornly hold on.

So as I write this I am sitting at the kitchen table looking out over the woods that makes up the majority of the back yard. The signs of life are everywhere the buds on the trees, the birds and squirrels making their sounds. Have you ever wondered how much noise a 20 pound squirrel would make?

As I see spring bounding towards us I feel that both spiritually and in the natural it is time for things to grow. It is a time for the thaw that many of us are so keen to see arriving. Spiritually it is time to move deeper into community, moving closer to God as the wonder of his creation bursts back into focus. But, also time to go on walks with my wife, trips to the beach and time to sort out the short irons and putting.

It is spring! Things are feeling alive.