Butterflies during Lent

I moved to Hawaii to begin a new ministry the end of December. As we move deeper into Lent I realize how much I tie certain seasons into the corresponding weather. Having lived in the Northwest for much of my life, I typically associate Lent with gray, rainy, cold days. The other day as I looked out my window I saw two butterflies and I realize how odd that felt for me, to see butterflies in March. It is forcing me to re-think my common Lenten and Easter themes! I usually reflect on winter’s barrenness and the future hope of spring and new life during Lent. But how do you re-think and re-image these seasons when you live in almost perpetual spring/summer? This time of year in Hawaii is more rainy and windy, but there are still flowers in bloom, the trees are green, and there’s greenery everywhere. I know eventually we’ll move into the hotter, dryer days of summer, but for now, Lent feels like spring and I’m reminded that resurrection is always happening.