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| Courtesy: Google Free |
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| Winter's past – Spring has sprung. |
What’s your favourite season of the year? For some
Canadians the preference will be for the great awakening of spring, as nature
emerges from winter slumber, greening up vegetation all around, drawing people
out into frequenting garden centres and labouring in their gardens.
Among sun-lovers are those who can hardly wait for
spring air to warm up and summer to breeze in. Many eagerly take the tarps off
their boats and check out their rods, reels and tackle boxes, for it’s summertime
and the fishin’ is easy (phrase from Gershwin) , or whatever is their summer pursuit.
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| Gettin' Ready |
Forget spring and summer – what about winter? Is that
your favourite? Energetic, avid winter sports types, with time and money to
spare, might eagerly prepare to hit the slopes, waxing their skis and dusting
off their roof-rack totes.
Each season comes with certain aspects that I
appreciate. However:
There’s an indefinable something about fall / autumn that
captures my heart.
The season has carved out a special place in my soul.
Once the greening from chlorophyll is over till the next spring, those autumn leaves reveal the
glories of their previously concealed colours. They fall, drifting gently by
our windows, to lay a carpet of visual warmth and cheer.
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| Nature's Carpet of 'Visual Warmth' |
Autumn weather more fully exerts itself as we move
further into the season, and we often feel cool-edged breezes and strong winds.
Purply dark clouds cavort across energetic, animated skies which, at times,
pour out their grapes of wrath, the rain and wind stripping stubborn leaves
from branches, overwhelming eavestroughs, while plugged-up downspouts can prove a
bane.
On the other hand, times are when we open our window
blinds or drapes to reveal fresh mornings, with frost-tipped lawns and
white-tinged roofs, opening into beautiful, sunny days. These seem to say, Enjoy,
but prepare, because winter’s on its way!
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| Autumn Glory - although slowly dying! |
Although autumn is for many of us a busy time in
community and family activities, it is also a time for introspection; a time to
prepare for life’s wintertime; a season for thoughtfully appreciating the
simple pleasures and treasures of life.
Autumn reminds me of my impermanence as a material
entity – as a conscious, walking, talking, collection of
biologically-coordinated atoms and molecules. In other words I too, like a
leaf, will fall and, like the year, my days are numbered – hardly a comforting thought!
Nevertheless I am comforted, for our Creator
God and Father in Heaven has a divine plan – life beyond this life in
fellowship with Him: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so
that everyone who believes in [that is, trusts
in and relies upon] him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16 NRSV).
Words of Benediction: May our hearts be wide open this
very day to receive the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God our
Father, and the fellowship and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
~~+~~
Peter is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – as he is currently engaged as an associate volunteer pastor. He lives in Southwestern Ontario with his wife, May, and writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column and occasional magazine articles. Peter is author of two books: "Parables from the Pond" (Word Alive Press) and "Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart" (Angel Hope Publishing). He and May are also engaged in leading nursing home / residential chapel services, pulpit supply and music. ~+~
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