We've heard the peep-frogs for the past couple weeks. They have brought back memories of a childhood in Pennsylvania.
What a celebration there was when the peep frogs were heard for the first time each year. We delighted in the joyous sound of these little creatures. Warm, spring days followed. What a time we had as we smelled the earth waking up from its long nap, looked for trailing arbutus and watched for frog eggs in the pond. As we enjoyed these things though, Grandma would always say, "The peep-frogs have to be frozen over three times before spring is really here." Sure enough, Grandma was right. Soon those warm spring days would begin to cool off and once again the winter cold would hold the earth in it's grip again. Freezing tempertures would send the peep-frogs down in the mud and their wonderful song could no longer be heard. Slowly, the days would creep by and finally a thaw would set in and the peep-frogs would sing again. We went through the ritual of counting "the freezing of the peep-frogs" and what a wonderful day when the last freeze was a thing of the past.
Life is something like the freezing and thawing of the spring. Life is going great, the peep-frogs are singing joyously and suddenly circumstances like the winter cold hold us in a tight grip. The peep-frogs have burrowed deep in the mud and all sounds of joy have vanished. We wonder if the peep-frogs will ever sing again. Though its a long time in coming the peep-frogs will sing again. God is ever faithful to bring the spring thaw to our hearts. He knows that the freezing temperatures of circumstances will prepare us to embrace the springtime of growth in our hearts with praise and thanksgiving to Him.
