THE MIRACLE OF SPRING

As I watch the buds beginning to appear on the bare branches I realize more and more that growth comes from the inner life of the tree.  All that is going on in order for those buds to grow and become visible is happening invisible to my eyes.  The tree trunk and branches that I have looked at all Winter remains the same; but suddenly in the new growth emerges; bud, blossom, leaf, fruit.  It continually amazes me, year after year, this miracle of Spring.

As I watch small changes in my behavior and attitudes I realize more and more that growth comes from the inner life within me.  All that is going on in order for the fruits of the Spirit to begin to grow and become visible in my life is happening invisibly within me.  I look the same on the outside but suddenly, in a particular moment, the new growth emerges; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  It continually amazes me, this miracle of Spring in my soul.

The contemplative life is an inner life.  It can be nurtured but never forced; encouraged but never demanded; desired but never enforced.  It is a life lived inside out, reflective of the Holy Spirit that abides within me.  I can only attend to it and nourish it; it is not mine to control but only to consecrate to the One who gave it to me.