03.20.2026 | Friday in Lent

​First Day of Spring
 
The long-awaited day has finally arrived. The season of renewal is beginning, a time of transformation, awakening, and quiet growth. As the first flowers lift their heads and the earth begins to stir, I feel energy returning to this old man’s soul. This first day of spring marks the shift from winter’s rest and restoration to the abundance and generosity of Creation.
 
Spring reminds us of the earth’s overflowing goodness. Fields swell with new life, and the air carries the sweet scent of blossoms. It is a season of plenty, a season for giving thanks. Gratitude becomes its own kind of prayer, gratitude for the gifts of Creation, for the wonder that meets us at every turn, for the beauty that unfolds whether we notice it or not. I am in constant awe of the quiet miracles happening all around me.
 
As I witness spring’s beauty unfurl, I pause, breathe deeply, and whisper a simple prayer of thanks. The world can feel so heavy right now, offering too little joy and too much noise. Spring invites us to return to what is real, the warmth of sunlight on our skin, the laughter of loved ones, the simple grace of a shared meal. Even in the chaos, beauty remains if I am willing to slow down long enough to see it.
 
And so, I hold close the promise from Lamentations that God’s mercies are new every morning. On this first day of spring, that promise feels especially true. New mercies. New beginnings. New hope rising from the ground beneath our feet.
 
Take a moment. Sit. Breathe. Give thanks.
 
Welcome to the first day of Spring
 
Thanks to the Creator who renews the earth.  May God also renew our spirit in this tender season.
May gratitude take root in us and may hope rise like new growth after rain.