Autumn in Maine...
So beautiful...so peaceful...
We are so blessed...
The colors are amazing...
It seems as though almost overnight
we went from this...
to this...
One of my favorite things to do in the fall
is to cut some of the gorgeous bittersweet vine
that grows wild along the roadside...
And use it for decorating...
It is wonderful for making "fallish" wreaths...
or using with pumpkins and cornstalks...
Bittersweet...
Every year, when God paints the
beautiful colors of autumn again...
and I watch for the bittersweet vine
to "pop" open and display its vibrant orange berries...
I am reminded of the
"bittersweetness"
of the cross...
"Bittersweet" is defined as
"...producing or expressing a mixture of pain and pleasure
or the emotion that joins joy and sadness...."
or the emotion that joins joy and sadness...."
Those of us who love the Lord
know the Truth...
How our Lord went willingly to the cross
out of obedience to the Father...
and endured pain, suffering, humiliation, heartache...
so that we may know everlasting joy...
Bittersweet...
So the cross of Christ is our bittersweet example...
A symbol of self-sacrifice, loyalty and obedience to our Lord...
Though we may face much "bitter" in our lives...
Sickness, hardship, sadness, persecution...
We are still called to "take up our cross"
Because the "sweetness" comes from knowing
that in the end a crown awaits us...
"And he said to them all,
If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,
and follow me...."
Luke 9:23
During my morning walks...
As I watch the colorful leaves
paint our quiet dirt road...
I am reminded that the "bitter" cold
of winter is not so very far away...
Yet, on that very same walk...
I still enjoy the "sweet" smell
of the roses still blooming...
And I am gently reminded once again...
Of the "bittersweetness" of the cross...
"Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of
life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him..."
James 1:12
It is bittersweet.. Such beautiful time of the year. But hard to watch the summer fade away.. God's beauty is something to behold..
ReplyDeleteHow are you and family ?
Hello dear Judy! We are all just fine, thank you...where does the time go? I hope that you and Gary are both well...not sure where the summer went (smile)...thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteWith love,
Laura
Yes, it seems there is the bittersweet in all things lovely... a rose has its thorns, a lemon has its sour, but lemonade can be made... and so on! You can look for the good or the bad in either one, but isn't it wonderful to know that the sweet does seem to outweigh the good, even in the bittersweet! Loved your sharing today of the glorious colors of fall in Maine.. how wonderful to see! May the Lord bless your day today :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by for a visit! I, too, love the colors of fall...so rich and vibrant...may you have a blessed day as well!
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