"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost."  Romans 15:13

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross"  Colossians 2:13-14

*Public Domain

*Taken from my great-grandmother's scrapbook

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Red was a German Shorthaired Pointer pup, full of energy and mischief.  With training and time, we hoped he would become an expert hunting dog.  We were wrong. 

At three months, Red was bouncing off the walls.  He loved antagonizing our German Shepherd, nipping at her heels, then running away.  When Mama wasn’t looking, he was pulling the freshly washed sheets off the clothesline.  No one could go outside unless prepared to fend off Red.  He jumped and bounced and raced around incessantly; that is  when he was in the yard.   Red should have been named Houdini because he was such an escape artist, we couldn’t keep him inside the fence.  It wasn’t long before Red had worn out his welcome. 

Even though Red was a wash up as an obedient family pet, he wasn’t a total loss as a bird dog.  One day as Mama and I looked outside, we noticed Red prancing around the yard like King Tut.  He was strutting around like he had a secret only he knew.  Intrigued, Mama and I continued to watch him, positive he was up to something.  Mama thought he might have something in his mouth, but it was hard to say for sure.  We had to think of a plan to get close enough to take a look.  If he realized we were too interested, he would play keep away with us.

We decided that I would go outside and as soon as he was within reach, I would grab his collar and hold him.  Then Mama could find out what he was so proud of.   Slowly and nonchalantly I opened the door.  I didn’t want him to be suspicious.  As soon as he saw me, he made a bee-line at full speed.  Red couldn’t wait to show me what he had.  He pranced over just close enough so I could see that he did indeed have something in his mouth.  It was a baby bird, still alive and apparently unharmed. 

“How are we going to get that bird from Him?”  Mama mused out loud.  Neither of us wanted to see the bird harmed, but we weren’t sure Red was going to be willing to let us take it.  I volunteered to try. 

By this time Red was dancing near the door, tossing his head, clearly pleased with himself over his prize.  I talked to him gently and softly, hoping he would let me get closer.   On my second try I had him by the collar.  Then it was up to Mama to rescue the baby bird.  To our surprise Red readily relinquished his prey.  While I kept Red busy with a ball, Mama put the baby in a safe location where its Mama could find it. 

That was the highlight of Red’s escapades.  Soon after he went missing for a couple of weeks before we found him several blocks away happily living with another family who thought he was a stray.  Turns out they thought Red was simply wonderful.  They had a houseful of boys who adored him and delighted in his antics.  After tracking him down a second time to the same home, we decided to let him stay.  We didn’t tell them how relieved we were to be rid of him.

Red, our incorrigible mischievous bird dog, would surely have been condemned to a life of eternal punishment at our house.  Thank goodness another family came to love him.  With them, he had a new start with all his past bad behaviors forgotten. 

Thinking back to those awful months with Red reminds me of my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ.  You see the Bible says that everyone is a sinner, condemned to an eternal punishment.   But God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross so we could be forgiven and have a place with Him.  Jesus took the punishment we deserved. 

Now I know that when God the Father looks at me, He sees red, the blood of Jesus which covers my sin.  We weren’t too fond of Red because he was so much trouble.  How thankful I am that my heavenly Father never gets tired of me and never considers giving up on me.  That’s because He loves me. 

Autumn:  The Last Hurrah!

The sunshine seemed particularly clear and bright, not like the intense summer sun we’d sweated through.  No, this autumn sunshine was magical, causing all the colored leaves to look more brilliant.  The intensity of the shades of orange, red, and gold seemed almost like the trees were putting on a bit of bravado in defiance of the coming winter.  They must know that autumn is their last hurrah before winter leaves them barren and stark against a gray, cold sky.  Life ebbs away in just such a fashion, with the years passing by in a flurry of changing seasons. 

Inhaling the pungency of the air, I notice it seems a bit dusty, with a bit of old grass and potpourri to flavor it.  Some of the summer blooms have faded, but autumn seems to spark a new breath of life into the marigolds, impatience, and mums.  The cool nights have aided in restoring the spring vitality that has been sapped by the summer heat.  I rejoice in their longevity and the beauty they bring to the waning days before winter. 

I love to walk the apple orchards, picking one here and one there, sipping hot cider to ward off the chill, and eating apple cider donuts!  At that moment, I realize that life is precious, needing to be savored, as if it were the last gift to be opened.  Autumn is the time to celebrate the harvest of our labors with rejoicing in song! 

While we think new life and new experiences are reserved for the spring and summer years of life, I’ve found that the autumn years of life are often times more fruitful and certainly more colorful!  Life is not over just yet!  These last years before retirement seem to be the last hurrah of a life well spent.  So much has been accomplished over these years!  Appreciation never dims for the life lessons learned.  Like the trees of fall, life has moved from humdrum to spectacular! 

Watching the squirrels knock the leaves and hickory nuts out of the tree is a feast for tired eyes.  I delight in watching them scamper down to grab their treasure, hiding it for a harsher time when the temperature is cold and snow covers the ground.  I sit still, hoping they will come closer, unaware of my presence.  Little toe nails tread lightly, as a little face peers at me from behind the flower planter.  I say “hello” as it ducks and runs for cover.  Their antics amuse me.  They’ve gotten used to my presence and now seem willing to accept me among the scenery.

Autumn smells strongly of change.  It’s sometimes difficult to accept life’s changes, but we can learn to embrace them with grace and dignity.   Something better or just as good is sure to come along when we let go of what’s in our hands.  I’ve always heard the old saying about holding things lightly, and now I understand.  Things don’t last, and time doesn’t stand still.  Enjoy the moment, but be ready for new moments.  Be willing to let go of the old and embrace the new.  Clichés, yes, but there is an element of truth I find.  If we’re holding on so tightly to the past, we will never be able to embrace the joys of the present and the future. Autumn is about coming to terms with the changes life brings and finding joy anyway.

Acceptance of ourselves in this stage of life is gradual, and like Autumn, sometimes embraced with warmth while at other times, it is embraced with coolness and chill.  There are times when we may recall the spring and summer of  life with sadness, knowing that those times are over and finished.  Yet we can rejoice for the fruit those seasons of life have born.  Surely it’s a mixed blessing!   With time and patience, acceptance finally comes.  Relish the freedom it brings.  We need no longer worry about what others think or fret over what could have been.  Instead open your arms wide, willing to receive whatever God brings us. 

Certainly, now is the time to forge ahead, storing up new experiences and memories.  Embrace life and don’t waste a minute of it!  Life is rich and rewarding and never dull in the fall.  There is a security in knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord, knowing that He is in control and will see me through each moment.

So when the weather of life changes, find a comfortable chair, curl up with your favorite crocheted afghan, pour a hot cup of tea, and rest awhile, but just until the chill goes away.  Then get ready for action, springing up with a smile, ready to move forward to all the new challenges of life that our Lord brings.  Let us give thanks for His many blessings and the precious memories we have.