Photo was taken in the gardens of the Dominican Ecology Centre & Organic Farm, Wicklow Town, (Irl)

April is a month of new beginnings and a month when nature opens up to new life in abundance. Our gardens are full of these little miracles at the moment. Our photo today picks up on an ivy branch proudly stretching and pushing forth new leaves into the sunshine.

Thought on Thursday – May – 10/04/2008

‘Think of farmers, how patiently they wait for the precious fruit of the ground, until it has had the spring and autumn rains. You too must be patient. Do not loose heart.’ ~James 5:7

April feels a little different this year. Normally it has the honour of celebrating Easter but not this year. April unlike other months is not named to commemorate anybody or anything special. It gets its name from a Latin word, ‘Aprilis’ which means ‘to open’. This is a very appropriate name because nature is indeed opening up to new life all around. We too are invited to open up to new life in our daily lives. It’s easy to be closed and remain so because of hectic schedules. But to be open to new life, new beginnings, new challenges and new ideas is indeed to be open to God. To be open and to be in touch with the beauty of nature is indeed to be close to God. We are called to be patient and not to loose heart. April is a great starting point on that journey.