Tuesday, September 22, 2020
For those of you who cannot let go of summer, get up early because you will have until 9:31 AM when the sun shines directly on the Equator and fall begins. Even though it will be chilly, I intend to walk early so I can say I was basking in the sun on the last day of summer. Yesterday evening as I was busily moving plants indoors––after all it was below 50 degrees––I saw the cardinal who has been spending the last two years at the bird feeder. The babies are up and flying and happily, my old cats do not go after them. They don’t go after the squirrels in the bird feeder, either.
And there are the deer, the mother with her twins looking anxiously at me, not because they fear me but because they are waiting for their morning feed as well. The young’uns aren’t as sure as the mom who has known me for several years now.
I try to tell her to make sure her children don’t get too close to the main street but stay on the side street. I have to admit I love the way she turns her head when she hears my voice. A friend has reminded me I’m not Disney’s Snow White––I know that but at the same time on this last summer morning, I just want to melt into the world around.
Prayer for the Day
God of life, the early fall breeze hints of the changes to come,
For now we hear the geese in the early morning sky.
As we smell the corn and tomatoes, feel the squash and the beans,
May we remember that you are the source of life.
Be present in our midst, O God, as we seek to be your servants
And help us to be faithful to you.
As was the One who is our model of service,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, American writer (1804–1864)
When Fall comes to New England
The sun slants in so fine
And the air's so clear
You can almost hear the grapes grow on the vine. . . .
Cheryl Wheeler, American songwriter
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before God,
and will make a path for God’s steps.
Psalm 85:10–13