I long for the spring to come, as I know that summer it is not long to wait for, but once the heat sets in and the ground is dry and dusty, I long for autumn and the cooler breezes and I wait with anticipation for the leaves to change colour, hoping that they will be oranges and reds and be a blaze of colour. Then as the nights draw in I love sitting in the warm – safe and secure and finally when winter arrives, despite the disruption, the first fall of snow is still a delight to see and then I long for spring again… this incredible cycle of nature mirrored for us by the Church Year gives us a rhythm that is like a heartbeat. In amongst these regular activities are those times of renewal and special holidays. Here we are in August, the traditional holiday time, but already leaves are falling from the trees and have been for some weeks now. The harvest which I traditionally think of in September/October is already being gathered in and time, as I get older, seems to go by more swiftly that I ever imagined possible. 2017 seems to be racing by!
Yet we serve the Lord of time and space who is not limited as we are by age or infirmity. 2 Peter 3:8 says :
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
We cannot slow down time, but we can use what time we have, well.
The face of the clock in the picture only opens on the hour and you have to be in the right place at the right time to see it. Just as we have to be open to see God in each moment of each day that we have!
Lord of the years, help us to recognise and respond to your love throughout the whole of our lives. May we recall the newness of Spring as we remember the first call and joy of meeting you.
May we give thanks for the Summer, of growing closer to you in adulthood.
May we rest in the promises that in the Winter of maturity, you call us to stay faithful, as you have been faithful to us.
We thank you that your grace is sufficient for each day.
We continue to praise you for all that is past and trust you for all that is still to come.
Amen
Prayers for September written by Denise Creed
Picture: The Clock – Royal Quays, North Shields
