Sabbath autumn thoughts

…with photographs of Popes Wood meadow and thoughts about the autumn of our lives!

I was surprised to see that 40-50 years old was considered the autumn of our human life. I thought 70 was fine when described with thoughts like: appreciating life’s simpler moments, decades of experience bringing a strong sense of self, helping to let go of outside pressure and investing energy only in meaningful relationships and steady rhythm. Inner clarity, self-awareness, emotional richness rather than outer ambition.

Doing what you love: travel, putting flowers in vases, painting what you like and liking what you see so much you want to stare! That seems a colourful autumn!

It’s true in about 18 months I will be the same age as my mother and I have lived more life than lies ahead. I think autumn is a good time may it last until I die.

The meadow has its autumn every nine months so let us see 2026 with the skeleton tree first.

And then the new trees that survived the heat.

I guess the skeleton tree is in the winter of its life all year round. A house to all who want to make it home and perch for all who wish to see further. It seems like an author that leaves a few good books when they are gone. Good for others to hook ideas on and think about.

Then what about the veteran trees in November, in the autumn of their autumnal lives. How are they doing?

The level of water for the ducks in the pond may also be important to show the water available for the trees.

Look at that wave in a bough, one fine brush stroke.

The water is shallow and mud lines the edges. The ducks are there but not seen. There are greens on the trees with yellows here and there but our frosts will brush that out with yellow.

Is there an impatience about seasons. Does spring want to be summer and what about the last two?

I have an impatience about me. I love the autumn of my life but I am looking forward to Jesus’s soon return in the clouds of heaven. James the writer of the book of James (which of the James we are not sure of) gives this advice to someone like me:

‘ Be patient, until the coming of the Lord. Look, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient; strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord has drawn near.’

James 5: 7-8

There is lots to think about the Holy Spirit as that early and late rain in our lives and us reaponding. It is interesting! There is always more to learn.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂