Arise, my Love, my Fair one

I called at Eccleston Church last week. Leading to this ancient place is a path flanked by dafs. I was minded of Song of Solomon 2:11-13:

For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing has come,

And the voice of the turtledove

Is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth her green figs,

And the vines with the tender grapes

Give a good smell.

Rise up, my love, my fair one,

And come away! (New King James Version)

Although I suspect that our rains have not quite gone (and nor ever shall), these flowers herald winter’s demise. Spring is here, summer is round the corner. I pray this might be the year in which our Fair One calls His people to meet Him in the air, for the winter has been long and nasty, and we seek His bright return.