It's still winter after all, but Spring is on it's way

The boys spend some time outside on this gorgeous weekend:

It's been so beautiful -- temps in the 60's and 70's.
We went for a ride with the boys yesterday, windows down and wind blowing our hair, sun shining on our skin, falling dappled through the passing trees on our faces.
When we came home, we played outside for a long time, soaking up the sun (it was actually quite warm if you were sitting in direct sunlight) and letting the boys get the ants out of their pants, so to speak.
Today was nice too. Very windy, but then, it is the second day of March.
Joe and I took a trip to the airport to pick up mom and gramp, who took a mini vacation to Florida to visit cousins. Ironically, it was cold there, and they spent most of their time bundled up and freezing.
The forecast for tomorrow? A high of 34 with a wintry rain/snow mix.
Winter is indeed still here, and days like we've had this weekend are beautiful deceptions. But they do serve to remind us that very soon, there is the promise of Spring.
Spring, with all its brilliant color and sunny warmth and earthy scents.
Spring, the promise of new birth and the resurrection of dormant life.
Spring, God's best metaphor for Jesus' work of redemption, redeeming us from death in our sins to life in Him.
So, we will meet this winter weather system reluctantly now that we have tasted of Spring, but we hope in the warm weather to come.
We will look for signs of life on every tree until we see the first bud of the season as we look to that one tree for our ultimate hope. It is the first of many.
A season of life, of resurrection is about to unfold.