Five Minute Friday :: Persuade

• Five Minute Friday :: Persuade Linkup

I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, not things present, nor things to come,

nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Nothing whatsoever can separate us from God's love and God's presence that is such a present to us. What about peeled pineapples? Just this afternoon one of my housemates made dinner for us and we finished with some fresh pineapple he'd diced into bite-size pieces.

Despite snow in western Canada and in some upper midwestern US states, in spite of chilly days here in LA, evidence of spring abounds in the northern hemisphere. If spring is here – because spring has sprung – winter must have visited, too. Aside from most people having at least a mild seasonal mood pattern; aside from shorter days-longer nights causing a bit of sadness for many; aside from fewer flowers and decreased greenery, less fresh fruit and veggies during the cooler months; our memories grow even shorter than the days, and we forget the glories of new life.

But did you know? Bright, colorful, spring flowers with their promise of even more splendid summer months for those of us with an endless estival love affair form only a hint of the reality; we could call it a type or a foreshadowing of the real thing.

The church has been observing Lent since early March. During Lent we follow Jesus to Jerusalem, to his trial, conviction, crucifixion, death, and burial. And on the third day? An empty grave and a risen Savior. Because nothing, no thing whatsoever, not even death, can keep us away from God's love in Jesus Christ. Not even bleak, cold, endless winter nights. Not even sweet peeled pineapple! I am persuaded!

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