News

Changing Seasons

Categories: Pastor's Page

There are many good things to say about having the four seasons. As Alice said when we first came to Canada, “I love the seasons. They are like renewals. Each season is different and there is excitement in anticipating and preparing for the start of each new season – even winter.   On the back side of this, is the ending of each season – perhaps with the exception of winter, for many.   As we approach the end of summer I feel this tinge of sadness. Another season is coming to an end. The signs are all around. Children are back in schools. The days are getting shorter. Occasionally, we get a few cooler days. And some trees are beginning to show colours. Yes, as summer with its long, hot days and balmy evening; vacationing and lazy days; barbequing and dinning out with family, friends, and neighbours slips away that customary tinge of sadness is lurking.

The wonderful thing about the changing seasons is that the tinge of sadness quickly gives way to the excitement of anticipating the arrivals of a new season. And so even as summer in a few weeks, will exist in history and our memory only, we prepare to welcome the fall season with its array of bright, beautiful and hold colours. In time the trees will surrender their foliage. There will be just bare branches sticking into the air like long crooked finger beckoning winter to clothe the trees and ground in a while blanket of snow. At least then, for most people, there will be no sadness to see the back of old man winter. Instead there will be only the joyful anticipation of the arrival of spring with its signs of new life springing forth in every place.

Changing seasons are indeed a beautiful thing. They give variety to life. Our lives are framed in many ways by routine. Life can become boring doing the same thing every day. However doing the same thing every day framed by changing seasons and the various challenges and pleasures each brings adds joy to life. Along with the seasons themselves live each day of each season fully. For they go by so quickly- except, of course, winter.