"The vitality of God be mine this day
the vitality of the God of life.
The passion of Christ be mine this day
the passion of the Christ of love.
The wakefulness of the Spirit be mine this day
the wakefulness of the Spirit of justice.
The vitality and passion and wakefulness of God be mine
that I may be fully alive this day
the vitality and passion and wakefulness of God
that I may be fully alive."
~J. Philip Newell

As I have been running my Friday errands today, nearly everyone I meet has 'vitality' written all over them. In the grocery store people bent over choosing brightly colored tulips. Red? Yellow? Hot pink? So many ways to go. Strangers greet one another with smiles and nods as they allow their winter shoulders to relax away from their ears. Children are even more animated than usual, hopping around, eyes darting from one thing to another, anxious to get outside to play. Even harried parents find it difficult to be impatient with the fidgeting.

Isn't it what we all want to do in spring?Take our fidgety bodies, long held captive in layers of scratchy clothing, outside to feel the grass on bare our feet, let the sun touch our too-pale skin. Work projects that seemed so important just a few days ago seem not quite so urgent when we look out the window at the warm and shining sun. The birds are playing. The squirrels are playing. It seems even the plants and trees are playing. Why not us?

For me, these days in particular, are Spirit-filled days. They are also such days filled with such grace. Practically every good thing that is happening around me, I had no part in,did nothing to create. My only work is to be awake to the Creator's presence, uncovering, enticing, honoring the rhythm of the Creation. My job is to keep my eyes open, my senses primed, my ears listening and my heart filled with hope….for all that is yet to be. As I remain present to the ever-opening world around, I can once again remember those Spirit held places within me that have taken their winter nap and are now ready to wake up. Just like the tulips. Just like the forsythia blooming brilliant yellow in our backyard.Just like the robin who serenaded me this morning.

Vitality…..being fully alive, awake, passionate….to the spring….to the world…to myself….to the One who gently holds it all. The One who waits for the surprises only this spring will bring.

Enjoy the gifts of this weekend and….stay awake!