Today I have noticed four encouraging signs of hope and the coming of spring: 

• The first is the good news that we have some idea of the four-step roadmap out of Lockdown, including the return of children to schools and colleges on 8^th March. 
• The second is that the vaccination program is being quickly and effectively rolled out, with almost everyone taking up the offer of a vaccination when they are invited to do so. And, on a personal note, my husband had his vaccination today. 
• The third is the joy of the revived St Albright’s #lockdownbabies and Tot’s group which begun today via Zoom, with nine mums and twelve babies and tots.
• The fourth is the joy of having my first crocuses and daffodils blooming in my garden. 

The little things matter as much as the big things, I find. And warm weather and sunshine, with time spent out of doors, makes my heart sing!

Springtime and the season of Lent (the springtime of the soul) remind me of R.S. Thomas’ well-known poem, The Bright Field:

I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it. But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had treasure in it. I realise now that I must give all that I have to possess it. Life is not hurrying

on to a receding future, nor hankering after an imagined past. It is the turning aside like Moses to the miracle of the lit bush, to a brightness that seemed as transitory as your youth once, but is the eternity that awaits you.

During this season of Lent, take time to look, and not to hurry. To dwell on the present bright field. Contemplate and perceive the springing up of the new things that God is doing in our midst: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 

Ask yourself:  Where do I see signs of hope? Where do I see God’s kingdom breaking into our community? And as you reflect, ask and pray, what is God calling me to be part of in this ‘new thing’ that he is doing? Lord, in your grace and mercy, walk with us in the dark times and the bright fields. Give us eyes to perceive what you are doing in our souls and in the soul of our community. Fill us anew with the freshness of your Spirit and the fire of your love. In the name of Jesus, Amen