Hope Rises

 

I look at the bare brown branches, searching for the first yellow-green dots that will grow and sprout and bedeck the world with a fabulous spring show. Nothing yet, but the signs are there. Ends of branches on the rhododendrons are swelling, hinting at the colours that lie within. The flowering cherry has lumps and bumps where there will soon be pink blossom. Daffodil stems continue to grow and swell, a hint of yellow promise. Spring is on its way; new life pushing back against the death throes of winter.

Hope rises. Hope rises as we watch the roll-out of vaccines around the world. Hope rises as the numbers of covid patients decline; as hospital admissions fall off; as mortality reports record a drop. Hope rises as we anticipate the end of this dreadful pandemic which has overwhelmed the world.

It’s not over yet, though, we are reminded by the scientists. We may be in the home stretch, but we have not yet crossed the plate.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.