Hope and the Woodchuck

Groundhog day was on February 2. I try to pay close attention as to whether or not that furry animal, which we called a woodchuck where I come from, sees his shadow on that special day.

The folk theory says that, if the groundhog sees his shadow that morning, winter will hang on another six weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow, spring is just around the corner; that is, it will be an early spring.

There are at least thirteen groundhogs in the U.S. and Canada that make it their business to predict the coming of spring! As you can imagine, they don't all agree. Usually the predictions are split pretty evenly.

The two that get the most press, and the ones I give the most credence to, are Punxatawny Phil in Pennsylvania and General Beauregard Lee in Georgia. This year, they agreed: We'll have an early spring. Hurray!

Is there really a connection between woodchucks and the coming of spring? I doubt it. My favorite reference book, the Bible, says nothing about these animals predicting the weather.

But it does say alot about hope, and the human need for it. We need to have hope that better days are coming soon. Hope brings light to our days, affecting our emotions, our health, and our ability to think clearly.

"And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you." Psalm 39:7