Photo was taken on the lower slopes of Mushera Mountain, near Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

This furze bush is coming into flower even as early as February. But the yellow flowers coming through never expected to be peeping through layers of snow! Nature is always full of surprises especially when it snows.

‘Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to be able to see the whole staircase. Just take the fist step.’ ~Martin Luther King Jnr

As we begin our journey through Lent this is great advice. Like any journey we have to begin by taking the first step. Lent is full of promsie and opportunity. Unfortunately it is sometimes seen in negative terms. Lent becomes an obstacle when we try to take too many steps. Trying to see the whole staircase or attempting to become a perfect Christian seldom works. A prayer starter today might be:
‘Lord give me the courage to take the first step in coming closer to you. Help me to take one positive step forward in my life this Lent. Amen’