An anticipated cold front moved into our area around 4 AM this morning. I was awakened by the bedroom door banging as cold air rushed through the open windows. After several humid days with temperatures above 30C, a sudden drop to 12C was rather shocking. Canadians are used to weather extremes. If the thermometer rose to 12C in January, some people would go coat-less and a few attention seekers would wear shorts. But this is late summer and many people walked outdoors wearing yesterday's clothes which offered little protection from the cold north-west winds and driving drizzle which hollered "Autumn!"
This morning we went to a downtown farmer's market in the next town before it started to rain in earnest. There was an abundant selection of local food and people shivered in shorts and flip flops as they shopped. Outdoor vendors hugged mugs of hot coffee and tea. It is a nice change to sit in the house wearing a sweater and socks. I have had enough of the heat and look forward to a few weeks without a furnace or air conditioner running. One of my Facebook friends posted this quote by American naturalist Edwin Way Teale.
For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.
For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.
For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.
The saying is wise and true. Man will plant seed again in the spring but nature has already completed its work for the next year. So it is with life. Those of us in the late summer and autumn of our days can choose to hoard the harvest of our labours or we can scatter it abroad where it will grow again and produce seed in places we may never imagine. I need to follow the example of nature.
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop.
But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
You must each decide in your heart how much to give.
And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.
For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
And God will generously provide all you need.
Then you will always have everything you need
and plenty left over to share with others.
As the Scriptures say,
But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
You must each decide in your heart how much to give.
And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.
For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
And God will generously provide all you need.
Then you will always have everything you need
and plenty left over to share with others.
As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat.
In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources
and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources
and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 (NLT)
Last week felt like Fall here, but today was a toasty almost 80F in the direct sun. I'm seeing the wildflowers start to seed in the promise of blooms next summer. They provide a good and giving example.
ReplyDeleteLike the farmers market, sure would enjoy some of that fresh produce.
A beautiful post, Ruth. It goes along with other thoughts that have come my way today about it being better to give, than to receive. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this transition time... a time of getting quiet again and waiting.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we all tend to do it in spring, it's a good time of year to divide, transplant etc. Or so I've been told.
ReplyDeleteThese words really are motivating. These thoughts make me consider that having a spirit of pouring into others from my blessing and abundance needs to be a daily, ongoing practice that I believe in. Service and "planting" is not for a season in life. It's cyclical and the opportunities will come around again and again. Thanks for the food for thought :)
ReplyDeleteThank-you for this post.I needed to be reminded that as I am in the autumn of my life,I too need to sow the seeds.God has blessed me with so much,and I praise HIm for that.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
A wonderful and thought-provoking blog. I loved the comments you received. We are truly blessed especially here in Mexico where we hear and see so much death and destruction from the torrential rains and flooding. Love and appreciation - Mom
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the barn and gold-tipped field, which illustrates autumn harvest very well.
ReplyDeleteWe've had cooler weather, too. I've been wearing a jacket to tend the horses in the morning.
Very good post. Truly, you really have a way of sharing these kinds of thoughts that bring them home to the reader.
ReplyDeleteLovely words. I, too, am enjoying the lower temps.
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