My calendar tells me summer has “got up and went”, as the crazy saying goes. It is no longer here, and we have entered what we call autumn — a precursor, no doubt, to chilly days of fall in the offing.
Gazing upon the mature maple tree which graces my front lawn, I am already seeing tinges of colour making their debut, throughout its branches.
Over the years I have enjoyed watching this stalwart tree grow. As it spread its arms heavenward, it created shade and beauty throughout the years.
It was a mere baby tree when we first moved here. Soon it became a regular pleasant perch for many birds to visit, even the noisy magpies.
My front lawn pleasantly surprised me this summer, as I began to see empty spots become a lovely green, just as a healthy lawn was supposed to look.
In short time, the leaves on my maple tree and the surrounding ones on my street, with their beautiful colours, will loose themselves from their security to form a carpet of colour below which will keep our groundskeepers busy for weeks.
I wonder how the tree feels when it knows it’s time for the “letting go” of their summer foliage. Do they know Jack Frost will touch them, and the autumn winds will arrive to toss them on the ground.
Changing of the seasons — all a part of the awesome plan of the Creator!
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
As I marvel at the beauty of the autumn season, I think, "Perhaps there’s a lesson here for me.”
The trees, each year, seem to readily allow the frost and winds to take their leaves which have been their vibrant, green covering throughout the lengthy spring and summer months.
Now, it appears that all is lost and the green growth is no more. Yet, though all looks barren, the wise trees know better. They know beyond a doubt, next spring's new growth will again re-appear.
I wonder, “How open am I to growth and change when it may be time for me to 'let go' of things in my life?”
New growth always means change. New relationships and experiences may just be waiting to allow me to grow in a different way.
I sincerely hope I will never become a staid, difficult, strong-willed, old lady — clinging to my old ways and ideas, when “new” may be so much better for me.
Jesus, just as You are Master of the Seasons, You are also Master of the Seasons of my Heart.
“…because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1)
I just need to keep my eye on the Master.
The following points to this wise truth:
A dog owner was attempting to teach his pooch obedience. He placed in front of the dog, some irresistible, tantalizing food item with the command not to touch.
Whenever the dog allowed his sight to be on the food, his urge was to immediately grab for it.
But hearing his master’s voice and looking on his master’s face, he suppressed the urge to touch the food.
A lesson for all of us? I believe so.
When we are exposed to unworthy temptations, we need to keep our eyes on the Master’s face.
My rant for today:
I have been most interested in the Invictus Games that are presently being held. I admire Prince Harry’s compassion for all those wonderful war heroes that are being helped by these games. I am also pleased that Harry seems to have found someone he now doesn’t mind being seen in public with.
But Meghan, I so wish your mother had advised you on your coming out attire. Your choice may be considered the free, playful style of the day, but I say, "Not cool!”
Even when joining laid-back and down-to-earth Harry.
He IS still Royalty, and deserves respect. I just hope he wasn’t too embarrassed.
I’m sure many of you younger folk won’t agree, but then, that’s just my age showing!
— beulah
I just returned from a 30 minute walk around the perimeter of my complex. What a gorgeous day! The sun pleasantly warm, the sky clear, with a few cumulus clouds floating about, the air fresh and invigorating!
Our first day for some time, free of the heavy, smoke-filled low-lying clouds that just would not go away. Traces of smoke still hang over the nearby mountains. Thankfully, the brief rain and soft winds have helped immensely.
For some time I have neglected following my walking routine. I’m aware it would benefit my body, so I will begin engaging my trusty walking poles that have been patiently waiting in the closet.
Breathing the fresh air once more as I enjoyed the beauties of God’s world, a song came to mind that Louis Armstrong helped to make famous.
“I see trees of green, red roses too,
I see them bloom for me and you,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the splendour of God’s creation, that you just couldn’t help but worship God?
I wonder how many folk felt that way as they looked in awe at the recent spectacle — our moon’s eclipse.
Such wonders, give us a glimpse of God’s awesomeness, His mighty power and the beauty of His creation.
I hope it pointed many to the One who is the author of such beauty.
Perhaps it did, as I heard many were overcome with emotion, as they burst into tears at the glory of what they were viewing.
We read in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Once again, I think to myself, “Not only do I live in a wonderful world, but also a beautiful part of the world.”
Many atrocious disasters are happening all across our world — it seems another one, almost daily. Could God be trying to get our attention? And should we be surprised?
Spoken by the prophet, Joel: In the last days, God says, ... "I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
Are we not already seeing such signs? But there’s more… "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:19-21). Praise God!
Meanwhile, I think we have been placed where we are for a reason.
Our ladies’ Bible study, held each week at my home, reminded us yesterday the great need for letting His light shine out from our lives, moment by moment.
Perhaps we can help bring a calm and peace to those who get stressed about the chaos in our still wonderful world.
I like this short story about one of my favourite authors.
"One night when Robert Louis Stevenson was a small boy, his nanny called him to come to bed.
Oblivious to her summons, he was staring at something outside his nursery window.
The nanny walked over, stood at his shoulder, and inquired patiently, 'Robert, what are you looking at?'
The little boy, without taking his eyes away from the window, exclaimed in wonder as he pointed to the lamplighter who was lighting the street lamps, 'Look, Nanny! That man is putting holes in the darkness!'"
May each of us keep busy putting holes in the darkness.
— beulah
Labour Day, to most of us, signals the end of our summer freedom and a reminder to get serious about up-coming fall obligations.
But perhaps we have never given much thought as to why this day is called labour day.
It was first recognized as far back as 1894. Canadian workers and the labour movement, for more than a century, have fought for a safe, equitable and just work place. As a result, their hard-won victories have resulted in fair wages and many other benefits and protections in our workplaces that we often take for granted today.
I was reminded of the age-old adage of “no wearing of white” after Labour Day.
Actually, that rule was tossed around in my family as I was growing up.
It may have originated as a sign of wealth — a way for the ultra-rich to self-identify, separate from the working masses.
If you lived in a dirty city, you wore dark clothes. If you were wealthy enough to escape to a vacation summer home, you wore white — “the leisure look.”
I’m glad wearing white is now in vogue all year round. As the calendar tells us our “summer of extremes” is drifting into the autumn months, we somehow feel we are still awaiting those pleasant days we were used to.
Too wet in the East and too dry in the West, weather authorities tell us the jetstream is to blame. It seems the Manitobans were the ones that enjoyed the most pleasant summer weather, though they also had their struggle with fires.
As school reopens each autumn, I again find my thoughts taking me down memory lane.
Having taught several years in public schools and later serving many more as a preschool educator, I can relate to the feelings and all the preparations teachers are now having to engage in.
I still believe no other profession is quite as important as having the privilege of being a part of the education process of our today’s children and youth.
Jesus welcomed, blessed and valued children. Gracious and gentle words by teachers, that show love and caring, often help in building a child’s self-esteem. Even young children deal with comparison and self-esteem issues.
Ann Voscamp, author and speaker once said, “Miracles happen whenever we speak words that make souls stronger.”
Teachers often have the opportunity to teach forgiveness and respect for others throughout the varied happenings of a day.
My local paper recently told the frightening news of two young teens in our city, who violently attacked a victim who interfered with their process of stealing a car.
Another recent happening in the news, coming from Moncton, N.B., my childhood city, saw a group of young children smashing a little girl’s treasured bicycle.
A local shop owner became the good Samaritan, restoring her bike to her as good as new.
Of course stories like these abound, but to realize now, even our very young children are getting into acts of violence, is indeed sad and disturbing.
John Newton wrote, "If, as I go home, a child has dropped a halfpenny, and if by giving it another, I can wipe away it’s tears, I feel I have done something. I should be glad to do greater things; but I will not neglect this.”
Thanks to this Moncton resident for being a great example. He no doubt remembered the old paradox Jesus gave us when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Paying attention as we go through our day, we will easily find someone in need of comfort or help. I believe we’re happiest when we give ourselves away, whatever that looks like. Unfortunately, many adults with their bigotry and hate are poor examples for our children and youth. Everyone seems to have “a cause” and wants to be heard. Activists abound, hate crimes, anti-semitic slurs, graffiti appearing on schools and religious buildings, racism leading to violent clashes, disrespect for authority, and rumblings of a hydrogen war!
It seems the world is speeding out of control. We pray that somehow sanity will be brought back to our insane world.
But, we know, a day will come when God will call the peoples of the world to Himself. Violence will end. Weapons of war will become farming tools, and every person who answers God’s call will find a peaceful home in His Kingdom. (See Micah 4:3-4).
Dear Lord, thank you that in this world that can seem ugly with sin and decay, You allow us to see glimpses of beauty.
— beulah
My calendar tells me summer has “got up and went”, as the crazy saying goes. It is no longer here, and we have entered what we call autumn — a precursor, no doubt, to chilly days of fall in the offing. 
