The air has the first hints of that autumn crispness that comes with the change of season. People carry on as if they don’t notice; visitors to the Cape set up on a piece of beach to eke out the last bit of vacation. But the change is there. Knowing Cape Cod, we’ll probably be blasted with one final heat wave just when we think fall has arrived to stay.

 

It’s amazing the subtle signs we learn to read that tell us change is coming. The gradual change in the morning light, just a bit darker at 6 a.m. now. The slow, almost imperceptible change of color in the green of the tree leaves and plants. The flourishing of garden vegetables planted in early summer.  And the sudden and refreshing change in temperature.

 

This is sometimes how God works with us as he changes us. We go through seasons and our “color” changes slightly or an inner garden suddenly flourishes. I had the chance to work on the Community grape vines this weekend and I couldn’t help but think about all this, as I chopped off stray vines that were sucking life away from the fruit. It was satisfying to clear away the pieces not needed to give the fruit a better chance as we look forward to the season for picking and stomping. Perhaps I could be a bit less protective when God tries to clear away my excess vines.