An early memory is being told flowers grow toward the Sun. These daffodils didn’t get the memo! One faced west, the other east.
They neatly illustrate the current confusion in British weather. Metereological Spring started on 1st of March. Instead of mild air and sunshine, we had overcast skies and frost. Today was sunnier, but even colder. No wonder the daffs are looking both ways. Which way to Spring?
Looking at their brilliant yellow, like sunshine on sticks, gives a glow to the heart. Most daffodils are still sluggards in Sussex, slow to compete with the snowdrops and crocus swarms that first hinted at hope. Gradually more and more are waving their golden trumpets, heralding the change of seasons. In a few more weeks the other varieties will appear, different coloured trumpets and petals: the “softies” and dandies of the daffodil family, hiding away until sunshine hours are longer, assured, and warmer.
We all like to think that things will get better: that Spring will melt the heart of Winter, so life will be more comfortable (and warmer): and I’m not just talking about the weather. Improvement isn’t automatic, though. Unless we take responsibility to “seek the sun” things may even get worse.
2 Timothy 3:1-5, (NIV). “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
Sounds like Parliament on a bad Thursday.
The beauty of nature points us to the higher things; love, kindness, justice, and mercy. These qualities shine like a beacon, and may even help those with eyes to see to discern God who is Light. As has been said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a candle.”
Perhaps my part is to seek the Son- and reflect His Light into the world: that will be a true Spring for those who are searching for hope. To be the best I can be; to be formed and transformed into the likeness of Jesus. If nothing else, I can be like an early daffodil heralding new life. Which way to Spring? The Jesus Way.
The Reflectionary 