Waiting for Spring
Though cloudy skies, and northern blasts,
Retard the gentle spring awhile;
The sun will conqu’ror prove at last,
And nature wear a vernal smile.
The promise, which from age to age,
Has brought the changing seasons round;
Again shall calm the winter’s rage,
Perfume the air, and paint the ground.
The virtue of that first command,
I know still does, and will prevail;
That while the earth itself shall stand,
The spring and summer shall not fail.
Such changes are for us decreed;
Believers have their winters too;
But spring shall certainly succeed,
And all their former life renew.
Winter and spring have each their use,
And each, in turn, his people know;
One kills the weeds their hearts produce,
The other makes their graces grow.
Though like dead trees awhile they seem,
Yet having life within their root,
The welcome spring’s reviving beam
Draws forth their blossoms, leaves, and fruit.
But if the tree indeed be dead,
It feels no change, though spring return,
Its leafless naked, barren head,
Proclaims it only fit to burn.
Dear Lord, afford our souls a spring,
Thou know’st our winter has been long;
Shine forth, and warm our hearts to sing,
And thy rich grace shall be our song.
–––– John Newton
Ripple Effects 
I love this line: “thou know’st our winter has been long.” What a comfort it would be, to believe that there’s someone omniscient who knows exactly how long and hard this past winter has been for each of us.
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Beautiful picture!! Simply lovely, all of the reading through! Thank you!
God bless, C-Marie
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Around this time of year — even when we get signs (like yesterday — 60 degrees; today 20) it seems as though spring is very far away. A couple bloggers I know said they follow meteorological spring, which is March 1. I could immediately tell they are not from Michigan!
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I can’t quite recall what your theme looked like before, but the combination of these yellows with the blue of the sky and water certainly brings Ukraine to mind. The selection from John Newton is especially fitting: not only for those who still are waiting for nature’s spring, but also for those enduring through a different cold and darkness.
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That’s exactly what I had in mind: a metaphorical, cold and harsh winter they are going through right now. Just pray that spring and hope will come soon for them. As for the header and background, it was purplish then green for the Christmas season. I changed it to yellow to mark the new year and you have pointed out this coincidence. Yes my thoughts are with Ukraine right now.
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Denver, Colorado has a very fickle spring—one day a tease of sixty degrees and wearing light sweaters, and another day brings a heavy snowstorm requiring boots, hats and parkas.
It’s the bright light and longer days that bring hope!
Great poem!
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Beautiful. Thanks for this great truth and reminder from Newton!
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