~ by Hannah Skipper
Bridal Splendor
The sanctuary doors open and the bride begins her procession towards the altar, beautifully adorned in a white gown and jewels for her husband. She is the embodiment of creation’s crowning achievement. The exclamation point that her Lord had to create before He rested. The Being that made what had been good to be very good. As she nears the altar, she takes the bridegroom’s hand. She does this of her own free-will just as the Church must, of its own free-will, take Christ hand and forsake all others so that He may lead, support, guide, and love her.
New Life
At first light, a girl peers through a frosted window to see a tiny new lump resting in the dry brown grass next to a cow. Without a second thought she dashes towards the barn, tossing on t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers as she runs. Quickly dumping feed into a bucket, she climbs the fence instead of going through the gate. Then she’s there, holding out her grain offering in hopes that the cow will look upon her enterprise with benevolent favor as she goes to her knees to acquaint the newborn with its first human touch.
Spring Thaw
After spending the winter imprisoned under the ice, the warming spring sun invigorates the creek’s natural bubbly spirit and gives it the desire to break free. The first breach might have gone unnoticed if not for the loud crack, like a gunshot, that broke through the cold frozen wall, allowing the first trickle of water to rush for freedom. But the creek won’t be content to run free at a trickle and soon more cracks are heard as the wall of winter’s prison gives way under the growing onslaught of spring. The water will not be captured again for a long time.
Going Home
A wordless instinct stirs the flock, making them restless for something distant and familiar. The older ones have felt this longing before and readily take to the sky, leading their youngsters to a place the chicks can only imagine. The formations locks onto its course and flies with confidence, trusting that their leader will fly straight and true. As they float on the light warming breeze and turn their faces northward, they call on other flocks to join them. The snow is melting. The ice is breaking up. New blossoms are budding. It is time to go home.