Devotion

I noticed it today for the first time.

The first buds on the dogwood, the first tiny green leaves on the bush near the fence.

Spring is here.

There was something sacred about that moment. I stood, stick in hand, playing with the dog in the backyard. And those little green leaves made me stand still, made me take notice, made me look for signs of spring and newness and change and growth.

How long have they been there? I wondered.

How many times did I walk right past them, too absorbed in my own thoughts to take notice? What else have I been ignoring in my heart and life?

God is always at work in our lives. Are we taking notice? Are we looking for signs of growth and newness of life? Are we looking for those tender signs of spring in our own lives? 

Prayer

Dear God,

We rejoice in the beauty of the world around us, this world you created for us. We marvel at the bright-colored flowers and their delicate petals, the warm sun on our faces, the greenness of new blades of grass rising up from the cold ground.

Lord, You make everything fresh and new and beautiful in its time. Every year, You remind us that spring always comes after winter, new life always comes after the dark seasons of our lives. And You promise us new life—eternal life—a resurrection of our souls.

May we take time to look for ways that You are working in our hearts and lives this week. Show us places where we can grow and be made new.

Thank you for Your faithfulness to us, the promise of new life, now and forever, and the glorious gift of spring. Amen.

© 2016 Ashley Danyew

Related post: Prayers for Church Choirs

More in this series:

Prayers for Choirs: No. 1
Prayers for Choirs: No. 2
Prayers for Choirs: No. 3
Prayers for Choirs: No. 4
Prayers for Choirs: No. 5
Prayers for Choirs: No. 6
Prayers for Choirs: No. 7
Prayers for Choirs: No. 8
Prayers for Choirs: No. 9
Prayers for Choirs: No. 10
Prayers for Choirs: No. 11
Prayers for Choirs: No. 12