New Birth

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Wobbly goats
born before midnight—
spring renewed

Signs of spring surrounded us as we hiked up the hill. Dogwoods bloomed and fresh ivy tendrilled down the rock walls. At the top of the trail, Hannah and I set eyes on Carl Sandburg’s house. Before the home tour started the guide encouraged us to visit the barns. Mrs. Sandburg was a goat farmer and the farm still bred and raised her lineage of goats. What a pleasant surprise to find two baby goats that were less than twenty-four hours old. The mama goat let us pet them even though she protected them from the other goats. One of them rose on her little legs and wobbled about. The freshness of spring kissed their skin. So sweet and innocent yet full of life.

Spring brings renewal as life begins again. These new baby goats reminded me that God’s grace pours refreshment over me and restores my Spirit. This spring as I celebrate Easter, I thank God for Jesus. He not only died on the cross, he rose again to give us a new life. He took on my sins and poured out his blood, so that I might have hope. He died a gruesome death, yet was raised in the beauty of life. I don’t know about you, but I am humbled to know that God loves me so much. Praise God for new birth through Jesus.