Watching the Grass Grow...

Being at home more under quarantine I have noticed more stuff around my house. I’ve noticed little things like where the dogs like to sleep at different times of the day, how much laundry has to be done every day, and most importantly, how quickly the grass is getting green and starting to grow. That last one is like a worm digging through my brain. Grass growing means that it will need to be cut soon enough. When grass cutting begins, it seems to be the chore that never stops. The chore begins with several small tasks of making sure the mowing equipment is ready. Then there is the debate about weed & feed necessity (it will make the yard look great, but I will also have to mow it more often…). When that has been settled we wait. We watch the grass grow.  The quarantine has been great for this piece of the mowing season. Waiting, watching the grass grow, anticipating the inevitable. To me, the green grass is just the beginning of the anticipation of Spring. As the grass wakes up, I also begin to notice spring flowers popping up, then buds growing on the bushes, and buds growing on trees. Soon enough the whole earth has sprouted and Spring has sprung. It catches me every year when, through a series of small anticipations, Spring freshly reveals itself. The anticipation of the revelation is the whole story, but it is told in so many little parts along the way. The final crescendo always surprises me in-depth and beauty.

Anticipation is central to the Christian life. We call it hope. We have an eternal hope that our God is at work all the time. That he understands this present day and the days in the future. We have hope that he has reconciled these days and in the end, he has made it all work for his good. We have hope in the scriptures promise of our God who even knows the number of hairs on our head. We hope that in the mundane of life God is there with us, keeping us company, watching the grass grow...

I leave you with this final scripture as a blessing for you. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

—Romans 15:13