Rev Rosie writes about September

Rev Rosie Bunn
Rector of All Saints Church, Belton
and
St Peter & St Paul Church, Burgh Castle

Rev Rosie writes:
 September brings a lot of changes, doesn’t it?

 In the first week of September the children will be going back to school; some will start school for the first time and will anxiously arrive to be met by teachers who are looking forward to meeting them; other children will start the academic year in a new class; many will also be moving to a new school with all the anticipation that that brings. The children may well be pleased to meet up with many of their friends whom they haven’t seen for much of the summer, but of course some will wish they could stay home and enjoy time with a parent, perhaps preferring the quieter atmosphere or the outings and activities they have enjoyed. Life changes with the seasons
 
The Belton group of Young at Heart had a couple of weeks off in August, and everyone was pleased to be back to “normal” with laughter and chatter over a cup or two of tea or coffee, and something yummy to eat. It’s not just the children who miss the routine, don’t we all!
 
I have enjoyed a few weeks of no evening meetings, and a bit of space in the diary so as to catch up with the church training requirements of the Diocese. I’ve also been able to have a few days in Glasgow with my grandchildren, celebrating two birthdays this August
 
I wonder what you make of the changes in the seasons? Do you enjoy seeing the leaves begin to change colour, or would you prefer it to be always summer, or always spring­time? I guess we all have a favourite season and I wonder how many of us would choose the winter­time, if Christmas wasn’t part of that season? Each of the seasons has something special, don’t you think?
 
Springtime, for me, is all about spring flowers and the huge variety in the shades of green of the new growth that we see; it’s about looking forward to what is to come. Whereas, the summer brings a cascade of colour, flowers with beautiful fragrance, warm evenings and an abundance of summer fruits and vegetables to be enjoyed. And, at the end of the summer, there is harvest-time that leads us into the autumn and the apple harvest; into preparation of the soil and plants, both to over-winter and so that we can look forward to new growth in the spring. Frost and snow, chilly days, but clear days too, come with the winter. Dark silhouettes of old oak trees against a blue sky; a walk kicking dried leaves, or making footsteps in virgin snow, such beautiful experiences
 
But what of the seasons of life? Not just the getting older stages, but the times in our lives when there is opportunity to rest (just as we might say the earth does in the winter); a time for reflection, to pause and look at the scenery of life around us. Or the spring time of life, when new shoots begin to appear? A new hobby? A new friendship or relationship? A new role? A new job or new position at work? A decision to study later in life? An opportunity to travel, and all the planning that is required? The summer time might be a time of real activity, or productivity? A time of growth, of going deeper in study? Or autumn, when you able to harvest and enjoy all the fruits of your labours, but also knowing that it might soon be time to rest again?
 
Spiritually, the season of spring is one of new growth, perhaps when we first come to know Jesus for ourselves, when we pray and read the Bible with a thirst to know more but other seasons of spring follow deeper encounters with God. The season of summer is when everything is going well, when we have reached a level plateau in our spiritual growth, but as in nature in summer the increasing heat causes storms, so storms and challenges arise, leading into autumn, when pruning happens, when things begin to fall away, maybe even to the point of us experiencing doubts in our faith. Doubts, though can be strengthening as we work through those doubts to find the truth; coming out the other side we find our faith more firmly established. On the other hand it can feel like a wilderness experience for some, until the season changes and we come to a place of rest; of peace in God
 
No matter what spiritual season we are in, God is at work in us and through us. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. In winter the sun might not be shining, but the Son is always there. Pause for a little while, and consider what season you are in; where you are in God’s plan for you life. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says: For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Rev Rosie Bunn

images courtesy of Village Voice