Hmmm…November

Hmmm… Did it seem to you that October passed by rather quickly? Perhaps it was the splendid weather. Or the rapid change from green to red and yellow to bare branches. Or, maybe, it wasn’t so quick. Did you try to watch anything on TV in October? A lot of us have grown rather tired of the continual assault by political ads. Which leads us into November. It seems likely that this month will be a time of hard decisions, and perhaps - we hope not - a time of bitterness and dissension. Pray for peace amongst the citizens of our beloved country.
Out of doors, where the critters are not disturbed by the distractions that humans create for themselves, the winter birds have returned and are checking out remembered feeding stations, the squirrels are busy stashing the fruit of the oak and hickory trees, and frogs and turtles are digging into underground hideaways.
Since this fall, so far, in our part of the country, has been gentle and warm, the birds and beasts have been approaching preparations for winter survival in a casual manner. The other day, I too, enjoying the sun’s warmth, watched as a pair of squirrels poked around on the ground, occasionally finding something to nibble on, occasionally rushing over to see what their mate had found. Every so often one would chase the other a few feet and then the role of chaser changed to being chased. If the game became too exciting, one would leap straight up before the chase. Or sometimes, it seemed the vertical leap was simply a dare: “Catch me if you can.” Clearly, the joy of a warm autumn day outweighed the pressure of oncoming winter starvation.
For most of us humans, winter survival is not necessarily a prime concern. Blessed by the security of a warm home and a nearby grocery, our preparations tend to involve long-term survival – financial, learning and health. But when all is well and the sun is shining, like the little gray squirrels, we’re tempted to ignore the need to be prepared, but rather to seek fun and pleasure. It’s easier to not see the needs of someone hurting or to hear cries for help from someone who has fallen. As well, for many of us, it’s pretty easy to dodge responsibility when there are no deadlines. However, every one of us has one overriding and unspecified deadline: a deadline for which we would be wise to have been preparing throughout our lives. We’re going to “meet our Master.” Face to face.
Our Creator who made us - alone of all the creatures - with the ability to think and ponder and act intentionally, will greet us one day and reflect on what we did with the gift of life that He gave us. Which, by the way, includes giving us the capacity to enjoy fun and pleasure. But, perhaps more importantly, of blessing us with the ability to bless others. What did we do with those blessings and gifts? We certainly hope everyone has been having some pleasures in their lives. And we hope that each of us has had the opportunity to bring joy into someone else’s life. So, while we yet live, we hope that, in bringing joy to someone else, each of us has discovered the wonderful and true pleasure of sharing God’s blessings with others. These are the moments that bring real joy. Virginia                                                                                     Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him Colossians 3:15,17