Look carefully. The small, think leaves of crocuses are coming forth to remind us that even in the damp season of Spring, new life has arrived. What you cannot hear are the spring peepers.

Yes, our home is surrounded by bog and swamp and the spring frogs are peeping to show their joy. Okay it is some mating thing but I like the noise from dawn to dusk and it sings out “Life… life…life” I want to croak too. I want to sing at the top of my voice that there is life.

Listen to the children in your home school. What is the tone of their voice saying? Is it exclaiming that life is present? Is it telling you that they are ready to jump forward. A wise home schooling Mom once told me that April and May are the months she puts all the lessons from the rest of the year into real daily life.

Listen for the Spring peepers to remind you that outside is good.

You might think this is a beautiful picture, but it caused me to go into a spiral of negative faith language. Two weeks ago 14 inches fell over night and into Wed. My husband went out at 4:30 am to plow the driveway so he could go to work. He left for work. For the first time in 30 years he returned and could not get to work.

I looked at the calendar I keep each year of “firsts” in the spring. Last year by the end of March we had experienced several 70 degree days and my potatoes and gladiolas were planted. My gardening faith failed. I was ticked at God.

I mean really how much snow can we look at. My mind said it would help the spring. My heart said I felt anger. It was a dreadful day.

My faith fails at times. It is part of the continuing circle of my faith. I cry. I kick. I get nothing finished and I eat too much. Then the day is over or the crisis is over and I find God again. God doesn’t hide from me, I am just unable to see past my own self absorption.

Good bye snow. Hello God.