The Master Gardener: A Reflection on Spring
Coming in with an amazing 19.5” of snow, our little coastal community of Peletier led the pack of coastal NC counties for snow accumulation in the great February 2026 blizzard! An amazing record for this area and, while I do enjoy snow and cold, I am looking forward to warmer days.
This annual change in the weather reminds me of the unchanging promise from God found in Genesis 8:22. Shortly after the great flood, God tells Noah these comforting words to reassure us about the certainty of the seasons. “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Spring is not merely the annual seasonal shift for planting; it is a testimony and reminder to the faithfulness of our Creator. Promises kept, the need to prune and grow, and embracing a spirit led new life in Christ.
A Promise Kept
Each year, the cold, dead months of winter fade into the vibrant surge of new life. The yellow daffodils pop up, dogwoods begin to bloom white, and the azaleas burst on the scene in pinks and purples telling us spring is here. And if you need more reminders, travel down Belgrade-Swansboro road to see fresh-turned soil and farm equipment driving down the middle of the road! This predictable transition is a powerful metaphor for the hope of the resurrection. Just as the winter is past and flowers appear on the earth, we see the physical world mirroring the spiritual reality of life after death. For the believer in Christ, spring is a yearly miniature prelude pointing to our own future resurrection after death.
The Need for Pruning and Growth
We look around and see budding trees and green grass, but we must also recognize God’s hand behind the beauty. Just like our local farmers and gardeners clear away debris and prepare the soil to produce growth, God is at work in our lives removing the burdens of sin that hinder our growth. Sometimes, our spiritual growth requires the sharp pruners of the Master Gardener. This pruning—though sometimes painful—enables us to bear more fruit in seasons to come.
The Power of the Spirit
As believers in Christ, remember that while we plant and water, ultimately God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). True growth and renewal are not a result of human effort but are the work of the Holy Spirit. The season of Lent, an Old English word meaning “spring season,” has ended. We are invited to cast off our “heavy coats” of guilt and shame, embracing the warmth of God’s grace and forgiveness in a newness of life.
As we witness spring unfold around us, let it prompt us to offer our gratitude and praise to God. He is the everlasting Father ensuring the sun rises and the flowers bloom. He is the faithful Shepherd who promises to care for us. Let this spring be more than a seasonal change—let’s invite God’s spirit to come into our lives, let it be a fresh start in our walk with the Savior.