"I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10

Signs of spring are everywhere. As the snow has slowly melted into the ground, the greenness of spring is pushing its way up through rich, brown earth. This past weekend we drove through the rolling countryside of Wisconsin, past farmland itching to get going. I knew this because even in the large field of abandoned fall pumpkins, soggy and mushy from a winter under many inches of snow, I glimpsed green. All along the road there were very few patches of dirty brown snow. It had been replaced by wet soil and the soft new blades of early grass. Overhead countless gaggles of geese danced and undulated in the air making their way back to old haunts filled with food for starting new families. Still other flocks of birds seemed to be gathering in reunion spots only to lift off high in the air flying in a chaos of black formation.

Down on the lower Mississippi River eagles could be seen standing on the ice floes. In the sky above their brothers and sisters soared with majesty as if to say, "Look at me! I am your nation's treasured one." I don't think I will ever get accustomed to seeing eagles. At least I hope I won't. The day I cease to be awestruck at the sight of those soaring brown wings, that brilliant white head and tail, will be a sad day indeed. These magnificent birds, once nearly extinct, are also a sign of what happens when we humans rise to our best selves and choose to protect those more vulnerable. As we made changes in our environment that nearly killed these creatures off altogether, so we chose to make changes that would save this symbol of our freedom. Makes you wonder what else we might be capable of, what else might be changed for the common good, doesn't it?

Driving quietly along these roads, truly observing the Earth coming to life again, I thought of the Easter we will soon celebrate. I looked out at what had been dead,frozen ground and glimpsed the life that lay just below its surface. I squinted my eyes and saw the tinge of yellow-green that dances just at the tips of trees that even a few days ago stood cold and barren, sentinels against a gray sky. Even the heavens were edged with life inspiring movement….flapping wings,yellow sunshine and blue sky, a soft breeze that blew away the salt and sand accumulated over winter making room for what is to be born. With my soul eyes,  I witnessed the stone being rolled away from the tomb of winter and it made my heart sing an early 'alleluia!'

I know I am getting ahead of myself. March, after all, is the second snowiest month in Minnesota. But the truth is Easter always lives someplace within us and we long for it, must have it.  So when we have even a glimmer of its presence we stand at attention. And standing at attention in this season of Lent and all others is really what it is all about, isn't it? Staying awake to ways in which God shows up in the most unexpected places is our life's work. Giving ourselves over to noticing the daily resurrection moments, not only in the lives of others but in our own life as well, is a holy practice. If Lent teaches us anything it is that no matter how dark or dreary or despairing things might seem, rebirth is always possible. And that, my friends, is the good news.

So the invitation is to widen your eyes, open your heart and breathe deeply. New Life is on the way!