Springing Forth

 'Spring' is the word that I drew for this past year of 2020. It was a random draw on a website I heard from my dear sisters, and I wanted to give it a try! I usually do a saint of the year to grow more spiritually connected to, learn more about and pray to. And a word of the year I would sometimes generate myself, depicting the details, events, happenings,  joys and struggles into a phrase or one worded summary. This year, I wanted to pick one and see how it could be folded into the intricacies of a past year that overflowed with depth, struggles, hardships, newness, rawness and interior growth.

I got the word 'spring', and at first I was a bit confused. I wasn't sure if I picked right, but trusted that this would be my word. Later, I reflected more and pondered upon this word. I didn't see it so much as pertaining to the season though it could. I delved more deeply into the 'springing up', if you will of new endeavors, growth, interior realizations, discernment, hope, trust, faith, and courage to name a few. 

It made me see 2020 as more than just a year that most would depict as the 'worst, or hardest year ever', but rather as a gift from God. It bestowed beauty, a beauty that most often wasn't present since it was so deep within me, growing fruit that was mostly painful and at other times unknown. 

Reflecting more upon this word brought me to think more about purpose. Purpose in the suffering, doubt, and unknown. I could see more so the inner workings, yet desperately wanted to in the moment. But isn't it true, that hindsight is always 2020, and I think there is a lot of growth and wisdom built upon last year. 

Spring makes me think of hope, as the season also brings that upon us with its blooming flowers, sunshine, singing birds and lighter evenings, as well as the celebration of Easter. One has to experience the dead of winter in order to fully appreciate and experience the fullness and beauty of spring. 

Spring brings to mind of water, a fullness of water. It's what Our Lady of Lourdes told St. Bernadette, "At these subsequent visits the Lady asked for a chapel to be built on the grounds, for Bernadette to pray for the conversion of sinners, and for her to drink  the spring water that was revealed to her at the grotto... the spring that the Lady asked Bernadette to drink from quickly revealed itself to be blessed water with miraculous healing properties." I can't help but smile connecting this as I'm doing a Marian consecration and it will end on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, (Feb. 11th).

Just as St. Bernadette drank from this healing spring, so too does Jesus have us come to Him so we can have life everlasting, as the sacrament of Baptism is issued with water. And as our dear Lord stated, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me! Let anyone who believes in me come and drink." (Jn 7:38). 

And another beautiful Bible verse that I love from Isaiah and put as main quote to remember. "The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. " (Is 58:11). 

I feel grateful to see more of the growth, the inner workings and beauty instilled due to various circumstances, trials, happenings last year. God knows what He's doing and will continue to lead the way this year of 2021!