I saw my first blooming daffodils today along the road as I drove to work and immediately I began to smile. There is something about that first rush of color, that first yellow in the midst of browns and greens, that hope in the damp despair of a fading Winter scene, that optimism in the face of mounting incredulity . . . which captures my soul and warms my trembling heart. 
Whatever one is thinking at the moment disappears, wherever one is looking in that instant before is lost in this 'Aha!' of wonderment, whatever one is perceiving in that millisecond of recognition is shattered by the open bloom of this strong and tender flower. Spring is asserting herself, Winter is moving away, bees are beginning to buzz and hibernation is coming to a close.
The Kingdom emerges from the watery ground, Lazarus walks out of the tomb, Jairus' daughter rises from her death bed and Peter's mother-in-law stands up to serve them all, with a brilliant yellow daffodil leading the way. Scriptures say, " . . . and the little ones shall lead them . . .", but whoever would have thought that such words could point to the lowly, heavenly daffodil?
Yet, there they are, blooming unashamedly beside the road for everyone to see. Not a thing hides them from those with eyes to see and a soul to believe. Harbingers of delight, daffodils display their beauty that the world would pause and give thanks to God for having lived another year to see their return in regal fashion. In this moment I can imagine no more powerful aspiration being whispered in my ear, nor can I cling to any more profound expectation in my living than that which the dainty daffodil demurely lifts in cosmic array.
Thank you, God, for such a gift this day. Thank you, God, for the message of the daffodil. May we find it within us to live as the daffodil, blooming where we are planted, boldly lifting our heads to the heavens in worship and offering our lives as a gift, humble though it may be, to bolster the way of others on the journey. As in You through Christ, so may it be in us, as in the Daffodil. Amen.

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