A line from Pippa’s Song , a poem by Robert Browning, might be a strange sentiment in a world that is rife with pestilence, poverty, war and crime. But it’s spring, and surrounded by the lovely sights, sounds and scents, one cannot help but have good thoughts and feelings. This is the time of year when young lovers plan June weddings. With our 36 wedding anniversary approaching, Paul and I, like others our age, reminisce about our days as young lovers.

We appreciate each other more, now, for the struggle we have had, and the tragedies and losses that have touched our lives. We wince at headlines detailing international atrocities and the natural disasters that routinely crush lives and families. It is difficult to live contentedly in a shrinking world with so much disturbing news. I often wonder how anyone devoid of the comfort and stability that faith in Christ provides, functions or feels safe in today’s world. We elders can learn by observing the innocent satisfaction that children and young adults derive from pleasurable endeavors.

Throughout the world, children spend happy moments playing with sticks and rocks, oblivious of the havoc that society has created. Yet spring comes even to war zones and children in pediatric hospitals and trauma centers find reasons to smile and ways to play.

I am inspired by the adventurous spirit of many young adults who fearlessly travel worldwide and mingle with peers of every ethnicity, experiencing and learning so much about different cultures. They spread good will and work hard as volunteers in diverse humanitarian pursuits. I say this to point out how the older generation could make the world better by emulating the innocent simple pleasures that children and young adults unselfishly engage in.

A particular painting by Andrew Wyeth never fails to command my complete attention. Called Christina’s World, the painting depicts a lovely young woman lying on a grassy knoll above a simple farmhouse that is her home. One feels her contentment in being alone with nature on a lovely, sunny spring day. She dreams the romantic dreams of youth. But until you know the plight of the subject of the painting, there can be no real appreciation of the artist’s reason for painting her. You see, beautiful Christina is crippled and can only maneuver her body as far as the grassy field where she dreams, by crawling along the ground. In her youthful determination to enjoy what is beautiful in life, she cannot remain in the dark house where only narrow fingers of sunlight filter inside, and in her effort to experience that glorious day she lifts her face to God.

In Pippa’s Song another young woman delights in the coming of spring. I don’t know anything about her situation, but the words are those of someone exhilarated by its onset. The year’s at the Spring/And day’s at the morn/Mornings at seven/The hillside dew pearled/The lark on the wing/the snail’s on the thorn/God’s in his heaven/All’s right with the world.

Thinking good thoughts can create a state of mind not unlike that of a young person who is contented with the sweetness of spring. And one who pursues the sweetness and security of the life offered by Jesus will always be young at heart.

Eternal Spring

In a world with Christ beside me
I’m not lonely or afraid
Because of protections that He provides
And the beautiful world He has made
I dance to nature’s music
And with the birds at dawn I sing
I partake of God’s renewal
And rejoice in an eternal spring

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