As I walked home last evening, the sky was clear and the temperature hinted of spring. University students sauntered about in shorts and T-shirts and the orange glow of sunset only served to augment the festive atmosphere. It may have been February but April was paying a visit.
Bird song had begun to intensify, green shoots adorned the flower beds and the aroma of wet soil scented the evening air. Then, as I neared our home, the unmistakable call of snow geese echoed from the darkening sky and I looked up to see two wavering lines of those vocal migrants. Headed northwest, toward the Missouri Valley, they'll likely spend a few days at Fountain Grove, Squaw Creek or some other refuge along their ancestral highway.
Though flying into the teeth of winter, the snow geese carry the message of spring to earth-bound, winter-weary humans. Our faith will be tested by more ice and snow over the coming weeks but those hardy travelers, unencumbered by calendars and weather forecasts, know that the season of hope is on the horizon.
