Springtime Azaleas

When Iris was growing up in Georgia and spring came in March and April the azaleas bushes came out in bloom in all their splendor.  We still have our azaleas in the spring time, but as you can see from this picture, we have a little different perspective now.  Nonetheless, we rejoice in the beauties of the earth and appreciate the beautiful flowers of spring, while just out side our front window, winter shows signs of lingering for several more weeks.  We love the spring flowers and anyone who really knows me, knows that I am getting a little antsy about planting flowers around our place for the summer.  I guess, I could say, I just can't wait, but there is a time and a season for all things.  Waiting is sometimes an important part of what we have to do in life..  We live in a time when people seem to seek instant gratification, but there are important lessons, that can be learned from looking at the the azaleas from the comforts  of our home, and at the same  time giving thanks for the large snow banks outside our front door and on the mountains  that promise plentiful drinking water and water for our crops and yards for the months to come.  Another thing that I am especially grateful for is a wife, who grew up among the abundant spring flowers of the South, and who now has learned to love and appreciate the beauties of the Rocky Mountains as well and who is never heard complaining about the snow outside our door or the cold temperatures which tend to give us both creaky bones and joints as we grow older.

If we ever tend or happen to feel ourselves getting down, I hope we will stop and reflect upon our blessings and see the beauties that abound all around us all the time.  It is often a matter of perspective and always a matter of cultivating a joyful heart.  Little signs of hope should remind us that we can be assured of the greatest blessings we can ever imagine, especially as we show and express gratitude and live our lives outside ourselves in the service of others.