‘It was November-the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.’
(L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables)
We are at the end of an unpopular month -November.
I can vividly remember reading the following poem as the wind blew down from the Cavehill shaking Mr McGeogh’s mobile classroom:
‘No sun – no moon!
No morn – no noon –
No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member –
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! –
November!’
(Thomas Hood)
November has the reputation for being a blah month of the year, for passing in a blur of grey.
But, ‘sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective’
(Andy Andrews -The Noticer.)
‘I have come to regard November as the older, harder man’s October. I appreciate the early darkness and cooler temperatures. It puts my mind in a different place than October. It is a month for a quieter, slightly more subdued celebration of summer’s death as winter tightens its grip.’
(Henry Rollins)
With a change in perspective we can find a positive spin for November:
*Cosy fires
*Crisp, star-spangled nights
*Leaf-kicking walks
*Thanksgiving- we can count our blessings even on this side of the pond!
*Anticipating Christmas
*And of course, in our family, celebrating birthdays.
This November, instead of contemplating the dull weather & negativities of the month, we can rejoice that if we are in Christ we have:
No condemnation
‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.’
(Romans 8:1-2 NIV)
‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.’
(Psalm 103:11-12 NIV)
No fear
‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.’
(1 John 4:18 NIV)
‘I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.’
(Psalm 34:4 NIV)
No worries
‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’
(1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
‘Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.’
(Psalm 55:22 NIV)
November!
‘November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.’
(Clyde Watson)
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 