A couple of days ago I heard some birds singing. When I looked out the window, I saw several robins hopping around in the yard. My first reaction was rejoicing, because the robins were a sign that spring is not far away.

Today was a warm day, so I went outside to walk and do a little work in the yard. I saw these little green shoots pushing their way up. In a few days they will have little yellow crocus flowers. In the neighbor’s yard, there were yellow daffodils blooming already.

Back to the robins! We used to call them robin-red-breast. Red is a color that we often see in winter. Occasionally we have cardinals in our yard. (I have only been able to capture a picture of the female.) The leaves of the dwarf nandina bushes turn red in winter. Around town you can see red berries on holly and nandina bushes.

Flowers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, and Christmas cactus boast of red blooms.

Recently I saw more of the color red than I wanted to see. My husband had to have a heart procedure. The surgery went well, but afterward they had difficulty getting the bleeding to stop from one of the sites. Thank the good Lord, after many hours they were successful.

Watching the blood and the medical team work with him, I thought about the blood of Jesus. As a human, Jesus suffered the loss of blood from the beatings and the crown of thorns on His head, as well as the spear that pierced His side. Jesus went through this willingly.

As God, the blood of Jesus that was shed allows us to ask for and receive forgiveness for our sins and healing for our bodies. What a wonderful gift He has given us. All we have to do is ask, believe, and receive!

Ephesians 1:7-8

⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (NLT)

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, (NIV)