On my parent’s dining room wall hung a framed devotion written by John Donne. Donne was a British poet and priest born in 1572. I remember reading it time and time again. Over time I was drawn to the old style of English, and later still to the beauty of the images it conveyed. After my mother died and it came time to close my parents’ house and divide the estate, I asked to have that for my home. It is at this time of year that I most appreciate it.
“God made Sun and Moon to distinguish seasons, and day and night, and we cannot have the fruits of the earth but in their due seasons: But God hath made no decree to distinguish the seasons of his mercies; In paradise, the fruits were ripe, the first minute, and in heaven it is alwaies Autumne, his mercies are ever in their maturity.”
John Donne’s devotion continues beyond that, but my reflection is always caught right there. “In heaven it is alwaies Autumne.” What a beautiful thought. And now that we are entering more fully into our North Shore autumn every day, the meaning of his devotion rings all the more true for me.
The leaf colors are the most obvious sign of autumn to most people. And we know that many more people will travel up the North Shore this month to catch the brilliant colors before strong winds or rains tear them from the trees.
The beauty of fall colors alone can make Donne’s image of heaven connect with that deep longing for beauty, peace and harmony that resides in our hearts. Whether you are walking in the woods listening for grouse or looking for deer trails, or just enjoying a warm fall day, you can’t help but be amazed by the beauty that surrounds us. It has a powerful healing effect on the spirit.
Recently I have been so impressed with the gentle purple and green in the dogwoods, the delicate magenta in the wild honeysuckle, the wild reds in the moose maple, and the deep burgundy of the blueberry bushes. One could go on and on about the exquisite, bold, and subtle color combinations in the forest understory and the drama of the sugar maples. To me it is all the hand of God extending a rich gift of peace. And we feel it and appreciate it.
John Donne wasn’t referring to the colors, however. He was talking about the fruits of the earth. These years I find his imagery connects more for me the more I become involved in gardening, beekeeping and the harvesting of both. As many of you know, there is such a wonderful sense of fullness and contentment to be in the garden this time of year when the grapes are turning purple, the squash and the pumpkins are gaining their ripe colors, tomatoes are turning red, nasturtiums and marigolds are still in flower, and the honeybees are storing their delicious nectar for a long winter’s feast.
It is a priceless moment, and with winter coming soon it is a regrettably short-lived season. But for these days, and hopefully weeks, autumn in the garden is just magnificent.
John Donne is connecting that fullness of feeling and appreciation with what he knows is true about God’s love and mercy. “In paradise…his mercies are ever in their maturity.” That inspiration leads to a wonderful sense of fullness and contentment in our hearts.
We know that in God we find that fullness of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and renewal. In God we find comfort and peace that are complete and without limit. In these wonderful days of autumn I hope the amazing beauty with which God surrounds you will result in that “peace which passes all understanding.”
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Reverend Mark Ditmanson of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais.
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