new life.

I've been so excited this past week as glimmers of hope - signs of spring - have begun to show themselves. In fact, so excited I had to share this picture with you, so you too could enjoy the flowers I see outside my kitchen window. Seriously, it makes me giddy. Can anyone else relate?

Well it got me thinking. What is it about being on the brink of spring that makes me so happy? Even more than the flowers, sunshine, birds chirping, and warm air, I think it's the overall excitement over new life. Here in Chicago, everything has been quite dead over the past few months and now life is beginning to bud. I can even see it in my neighbors who are coming out of their homes and walking in the neighborhood again. We are all eager for new life.

All of this excitement over the signs of spring and new life right in front of my very own eyes opened a door for the Lord to nudge me. "Katie, why are you not anticipating and laboring over new life in the eternal sense like you are over life here on earth, which is fleeting?" The conviction hit deep. Yes, I often pray that God would draw those who don't know Him personally, but my emotions aren't nearly as engaged as they are over the new life of flowers...sad, but true.

So, I immediately asked the Lord to break my heart for those who don't know Him and to anticipate the beauty that will come from the new life of someone who was once dead, now coming to life because of the transforming power of Jesus.

"What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

He has been so faithful to give me more of His heart of compassion and care for those He loves and wants to be in relationship with. The Lord also led me to Matthew 13:33, The Parable of the Yeast. I was encouraged knowing He will take my prayers and my small, faithful influence to the lives I'm in contact with and multiply it for His glory. Much like how just a little bit of yeast spreads and over time affects the entire loaf.

So, may He enable us to be faithful in the little and pray with expectancy and great anticipation for what He will do. And enjoy the quickly approaching arrival of spring because it all comes from the Lord!