AUTUMN

Today marks the first day of the beginning of Autumn. As I was reflecting on the changing of the seasons, I thought of how Autumn begins the process of all that is beautiful slowly changing and eventually dying. We watch as all that Nature has so carefully nurtured and grown slowly turns a beautiful array of colors for us all to behold. The dying process is somehow made easier by the glory of this final display of life. While we sit and enjoy the glory and beauty, slowly but surely death is coming to the glory. In such a brief span and often with a quick gust of wind, the glory is blown away to lie underfoot until eventually returning to the earth that gave it life.

Winter is coming. The bleak and gray short days of winter. When all appears gone and hope is crushed with the cold and frigid wrapping us in despair, winter surrounds us. No sign of life and only stark reminders around us of what had been.

Spring-OH BLESSED Spring. New Life and a return of hope as the plants and leaves slowly unfold and lift to greet the warmth of the sun. Life once again bursts forth in the full glory of the Creator. Hope has come to live once again.

Summer rushes forth with little fanfare as the cool of the Spring quickly turns to the heat of the Summer. Lush and fully matured the wonder of nature fills every inch of the Earth. Life feels like it will last forever and this will always be-

But Autumn-Autumn is coming.