The signs are everywhere. Season of mellow fruitfulness. The
trees are beginning to turn lovely shades of autumnal orange, yellow, burnt
reds, and even bright reds on the acer and the Virginia Creepers. The rose hips
are brilliant red beads amongst the withering foliage. The rowan berries are still
a tangerine shade but darkening by the hour.
The final harvests are ready to bring in before winter’s
wild weather hits. Potatoes, carrots, runner beans. And apples! Oh, the apples
are looking good at the moment. I may not be so enthusiastic in a week or so
when I’m peeling them for endless crumbles and boiling them up for apple
butter.
Living rurally I am so aware of the changing seasons, as
anyone who reads this blog regularly knows. I probably harp on about it too
much, but it is such a reminder of the passing seasons of life. And this
weekend I am being particularly reminded of those passing seasons.
Yesterday morning I received an email containing a
photograph of a beautiful new baby girl born to friends in Seattle. A perfect
wee treasure, snuggled down in her mother’s arms. All that promise of joy and
laughter and love.
By lunchtime I was sitting shoulder to shoulder in church
awaiting the start of the funeral of a very special and dearly loved lady who
has gone to be with her Lord. The tributes were fulsome and the tears were
real. She slipped away in such a gentle, quiet way, unexpectedly. Lovely for
her, but to those who are left, something distinctly unreal about it all. Is
she really gone? Surely she is just in the next room, or down in London for the
weekend again?
I am confident I will see her again, only not before I slip
away, too.
And today. I’m about to spruce myself up to go to the
wedding of another very special lady, a young lady whose musical talents are
many and whose personality and smile are quirky, fun, and lovely. The start of
another season in her life. Such a privilege to be there to share her joy
today.
New beginnings all around. A new life in Seattle, bringing
fun and laughter, challenges and tears: a wee miracle. A new life in heaven,
about which we can only speculate apart from having the assurance that our dear
friend is definitely there, safe in the arms of her Saviour. And a new life
here in Aberdeen as two become one in this mystical union we call marriage,
with all the joys and laughter, challenges and tears that accompany the season
of new life together.
Our world is always changing, but our constant is God, who
is faithful and whose love never fails. I will now go put on my glad rags, and
prepare to celebrate with a heart that is tender – both hurting and happy. The hurts
make the happiness that much more precious, highlighting these moments as
treasures to be stored up and pondered at quieter times.
Today is a day for storing up.
