By Heather Ford Lark
For me, September is like the start of a new year, with the school holidays ending, students of all ages back at school, colleagues back from their holidays, new routines, and a definite fresh feeling in the air.
A little late summer warmth lingers on, especially in the afternoons this past week, but the early mornings and evenings are cooler and bring with them a different rhythm. When I go out to the car in the morning, there are often several spider webs spun across the wing mirrors, as the spiders seek a warmer nook. They are especially active at this time of year.
September has neither the extreme heat of summer nor the frosty cold of winter, but is a like a gentle in-between time.
There are still a few tomato plants ripening on my plants, and the surprise that a green pepper growing slowly on my plant for many weeks has now turned a beautiful shade of red. There are still several runner beans hiding between the leaves, even a few late bean flowers emerging, and windfall apples for crumbles.
At the same time, I am enjoying seeing beautiful shiny conkers on the ground, some still in their prickly green cases, and no two exactly alike; scattered acorns, the ones not already hidden away by squirrels for the winter. I notice the gentle changes in the colours of the leaves, both on the trees and a few rustling underfoot. Many trees are full of berries, a different beauty from the flowers borne on those same trees earlier in the year. All these remind me of the Creator and his wonderful generosity towards us and to all his creation.
A season of transition from summer to autumn, September is also a chance to reflect on God’s faithfulness through the rhythms of the seasons, through the changing phases of life. We are reminded that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). September demonstrates that change need not to be faced with apprehension, but rather embraced as part of God’s design, with a beauty of its own.
September can bring with it a renewal of energy after languid summer days– I think there’s something about this month that encourages – at least for me- planning and starting new projects.
I am partway through painting one of the bedrooms at home, giving the room a fresh look, and I’m planning with a good neighbour what I can plant in October to provide us with some veg and fruit in the spring. Part of the joy is the anticipation of green shoots eventually emerging from the soil and growing to maturity.
And yesterday I started my ordination training near Oxford, along with 15 other new ordinands. A fresh start this month. Whilst I will still be contributing in the ways I normally do at church, what a joy it is to be starting a new course, meeting new people, learning new things about God, myself and others, and seeing Him at work. And having an expectation of what He wants to do!
It is a fitting time to recommit to prayer, to the Bible, and to our community, letting the quieter pace draw us closer to Christ, so the joys of September can become for us a season of spiritual harvest too.