The favorite season of my retired years is still Autumn. Why’s that? Maybe because these final days of summer feel like this hemisphere’s climatological invitation to remember. (Although I’m not exactly sure how “remembering” feels alongside “autumn”, let me try to explain….)
As Fall approaches, I recall how, during my working years, these would be the days when I strapped back on my workaday attitudes and habits, refilling the reservoirs of purposed living that had taken some time off during the summer. Normal schedules were on the horizon, when the movement of my daily tasks would be prescribed by the variety of vocational roles I was privileged to take on. Teacher, principal, church musician, student, denominational executive, congregational servant—each of these callings took on their autumnal character, reminding me joyfully that there was perhaps-new work to be done. Work that was good and necessary. Work that especially suited me. Work that I could look forward to.
Autumn was also a time when the larger manifestations of the human spirit—institutions, businesses, planning, hopes/visions—roused themselves back to life, heading towards their fully operational capabilities. In the world around me, I could see this broader phenomenon gradually turning others like me back to working at God’s mission in the world. How exciting!
In my post-worker days, these memories remain satisfying. Energizing, too. They provide an invitation to consider who I am now—who we are together—when we’re fully functional, busy, effective and forward-looking. Coming out of the somewhat-relaxed semi-hibernation of summer routines and inclinations, we can be glad for the vocations we’ve assumed, the lifework we’ve picked up in earnest and the challenges of using these pre-winter months to keep remembering our part of God’s mission.
Hello, Autumn! We’re ready…!
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