Good morning…

As soon as we exited the Atlanta airport following our spring break trip, I was awed by the vibrant variety of fresh spring flowers. Joining the perked up pansies who have lived through winter, the tulips have lifted their delicate faces to the sun, and the daffodils have burst forth, standing strong.

After dropping my suitcase in the foyer, I google, “What do tulips symbolize?” I learn that white tulips symbolize heaven, newness, purity. Purple tulips symbolize royalty, and red tulips declare true love. Pink tulips mean caring affection, and orange tulips represent energy and enthusiasm, desire and passion. Along with crocuses and daffodils, tulips are the first flowers to blossom each year. Happy heralds of spring, tulips sing the song of eternal life.

Next, I google “What do daffodils symbolize?” I learn that daffodils, with their long stem and large, trumpet-shaped, yellow blossom, symbolize rebirth and new beginnings because of their early spring appearance, especially in cold climates after a long winter. The daffodil is the signature flower of hope, and, during the American Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Days campaign in March, daffodils are sold to symbolize hope for cancer patients and their families. On a broader scale, these flowers are associated with the hope of Easter, symbolizing the rebirth and new beginnings offered to all people through Christ’s resurrection.

With these descriptors I unpack my homecoming joy. True love. Heavenly newness. Happy heralds of spring, singing the song of eternal life. Rebirth. New beginnings. The hope of resurrection power is visually renewed every time I step off of the airplane in Atlanta from a spring break trip.

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole, 1 Peter 1:3-5 (MSG),

Sue