Abundant Beauty

We are making up for winter.

The past few days have been gorgeous, with temperatures steadily rising through this week until today hit the low 80s--perfect!  We've been seizing every opportunity to be outside, reveling in the sunshine and fresh air.  I love this season!

Last evening, we were spending some family time outside; and I couldn't resist grabbing the camera to get some new sidebar pictures for each of the boys.

~ Josiah - 6 years, 10 months old

~ David - 4 years, 1 week old

~ Tobin - 15 months old

The word that has come repeatedly to mind recently as I've contemplated the unfolding beauties of springtime is ABUNDANCE.  This is a word that I primarily associate with the fall of the year (as I did in this post); but here in 2009, I've been struck by the abundance of delights that are springing forth from the earth.

Take these daffodils, for example...

...when have we ever had this many blooms from these plants?  I've used some for cut bouquets and given some to our neighbors, but the flowerbed is still full of these bits of sunshine.

And these tulips!  Sigh... 
...I can't get over how lovely they are.  The shades of color seem particularly beautiful to me this year.

If God put so much beauty into a flower, how much more beauty resides in our souls as we draw our nourishment from Him as naturally as flowers draw nourishment from the earth?