New Life

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 Written by : Chaplain Chris Belfield
In a previous encouragement, specifically last week, the subject was signs of the season.  This is almost a natural follow-on. A sure sign of summer is a good rain, followed by an uncomfortable hot spell and suddenly the world is a distinct and lustrous green.  How did that happen so quickly? Regardless, there is now new growth everywhere.  Another one of the sure signs of new life is the unique presence of motorists stopping in front of our house to take pictures.  Now, I'd like to think it's because Cathy and I are so photogenic, but the truth of the matter is that it's our foliage, and we had absolutely nothing to do with it.  It's the lupines.  This year they are everywhere, even where we don't want them.  The front of the property is covered with so many purple, and a few pink lupines that people stop to take pictures.  In years past, a few even stopped to assist us in culling the abundant harvest, without our consent.  I think this year I will put out a free-will donation box and see what happens.  Maybe not as I may have to declare the proceeds as earned income. Last year, Cathy spent many hours toiling to produce a beautiful tiered garden that promised a wide variety of colorful plant growth for this year. To quote a familiar line from the movie,  Christmas Vacation, "Cathy, I can see it in my mind." That's what was said all winter.  Then the lupines showed up and had a family reunion in Cathy's garden.  They have sealed their fate and will soon be a historical footnote. As though lupines were not enough, there were the other not-so-welcome signs of new life.  The state bird, the mosquito, has declared our property to be the convention gathering site for this season.  I’ll guess you are hosting them as well.  I prefer to give my blood donation to a worthy source, and a mosquito does not qualify, but still manages to extract a sample…multiple times. And then there are those small gnats that seem impervious to any man-made repellants.  Just remember that all winter we anxiously waited for this time. Last fall we spent lots of hours and sweat equity clearing undergrowth and brush to make passable trails through the woods.  We should have taken pictures. You guessed it – new growth has once again reclaimed its natural domain.  We are just interlopers battling nature.  Then of course there is the lawn.  Didn't we just cut it last week?  No matter as it is due again. There is something almost Zen-like about cutting the lawn, trimming, and admiring the finished product. It almost seems appropriate to stand on top of the hill and proclaim, "Yep, we did that!" Another sign of new life is new construction to make life better and safer.  We were impressed to read about the new road change proposal for the Stewart River at Betty’s Pies beginning this fall: New turn lanes to enhance safety and still let through traffic proceed with minimal delay. There are also new sidewalks being put in along South Avenue in town. And finally, there is the emerging new life for the community as we continue the steady exodus from COVID-19 restrictions.  This is a testament to what can be done when a community pulls together for the mutual benefit of all.  Now is a great opportunity to support our local businesses as they come back up to full capacity operations. It is also the perfect time, as is every day, to appreciate and thank God for the new life that he has given us through his Son, Jesus.  Any time is a great time to just say, thank you, father. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Lamentations 3:22-23  (ESV)  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” May you be blessed by God's word. ~Chris