The last vestige of life

 As I was photographing birds this afternoon, this last vestige of Fall came into view and it struck a poignant chord in my heart. Life is short for every living thing and we share many traits that are often overlooked. This is the last leaf about to fall and join the thousands of others already scattered in the yard. Age, wind, weather and disease have beaten everything to the ground, not so unlike us. As we near the end of our brief tenure here on this earth, may we, like this season's final leaf, end it with a beautiful symbol of what once was. May we be remembered for all the joy we brought to others as they view the last vestige of our lives. Thinking of some beautiful loved ones who left us this past year.

My son David, my brother Ted and my sweet Cheryl all ended this season of life here on this earth during the past year, but a new season, or as scripture tells us, a new life begins for those who trust in Christ as their saviour. Unlike the leaves on the trees, our new season is eternal and it will be better than the one we experienced here on this earth. You know that life is brief but unlike the trees that will regenerate in the Spring, you will spend an eternity somewhere. I pray that somewhere is with your loved ones who have believed and are now experiencing the wonders and joy of Heaven. I pray that you look forward to that sweet reunion when we are reunited with those loved ones who have gone before us.

God bless you all.

The Titmouse's Prayer

 THE TITMOUSE'S PRAYER

Thank you Lord for this glorious day

For this cool drink I found on my way

Lord thanks for folks who seem to care.

There's always plenty of food to share

They provide me seeds that meet my need

And a few of those worms, what a treat indeed!

Thank you Lord for my wings to fly

That enable me to dart through the sky

I know you'll provide for all my needs

Like the poles in this yard that are full of seeds

And thank you for those human hands

Who fill the need of all that lands

(Overheard yesterday morning)

By DWar 2020 (no copying without permission from David Warbritton)

The Splendor and the Glory

 Every year I can tell when the Fall color is at peak, because the big golden maple in the backyard finally starts to turn. Within a week to ten days from then, it will be over. But it is usually glorious around my neighborhood, because we were once in a heavily wooded section and many mature trees were spared when our homes were built. I have trees 70-80 ft tall all around my house. White oaks, red oaks, blackjack oaks, red maple and golden maples, hickory, tupelo and many others are either in my yard or in one of my neighbors. They say that you have less color when you have more rain, but I don't think that is true this year. We have had a very wet year and yet we have brilliant, glorious color in our foliage .

When all is said and done, of course, all the leaves will be on the ground and then a new season starts. But until then, we will enjoy the gift that God once again provides and invites us to enjoy. In the midst of your troubled sea, in spite of your sorrow and grief, regardless of your disappointments and regrets, He is saying "Look at what I can do, look at the splendor and the glory that I give you here; just think of what I have in store for you when we meet in heaven."

Until then, I guess I'm going to have a few leaves to shuffle.