“the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)

It’s cold and gray, damp and dreary this morning as we walk through the neighborhood just like we do every Saturday morning. I’m remembering that only a few short weeks ago when we walked these same streets, they looked quite different. Everything was buried under a covering of snow, snow that seemed in no hurry to leave and in fact definitely overstayed its welcome. Today all that snow is gone, revealing what has remained out of sight for so long – brown, barren lawns and lifeless, barren tree branches. No signs of life – nothing seems to have survived the winter’s snow, ice and bitter cold.

It was then that I saw them – the daffodils. Fully up, standing tall, lots of them filling the small front yard – a small sea of yellow, white and green in the middle of a brown yard with no other signs of life. But there they were – beautiful daffodils, braving the cold on this dreary, sunless morning – a reminder that all is not dead despite appearances. A reminder that new life is on its way. Lots of it. This is only the beginning. It happens every year. We call it spring.

Why was I so surprised by the appearance of the daffodils today? Maybe because it was so cold and so gloomy that I didn’t think conditions were right for the appearance of new life? The daffodils were definitely a surprise and they definitely seemed out of place against such a harsh landscape. But they were such a gift to my weary spirit this morning. Those daffodils were proclaiming a message of hope that cannot be ignored or be silenced. A message of hope that we all need after a long winter. All is not dead. Life is returning after winter’s slumber. Reminds me of Lazarus being called back to life from the grave by Jesus Himself.

Seeing the daffodils today, reminded me of the hope I have in my Heavenly Father “who gives life to the dead.” My God is in the business of resurrection. Dreams, relationships, things I think long dead or impossible – these are the very things that God is able to revive and to restore. God says in Isaiah –

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Hope – Jesus’ appearance on earth brought us hope. We read in Luke –

“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:22)

The daffodils’ unexpected appearance today reminded me that God brings life out of what appears to be dead. That’s a hope that does not disappoint.

“Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23)

I wasn’t disappointed today. I was instead reminded of the hope I have in my Heavenly Father. After all, He is –

“the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)

sincerely, Grace Day