Greetings, Friends from out on Bittersweet Farm.
Andrea, my niece, is just a few days older than our youngest daughter Hope. She visited Bethel and we invited her to lunch.
We went for a drive out into the countryside after lunch in search of fresh apple cider, and maybe fresh donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar. Most of all it was a pretext for enjoying an autumn day—just being together.
It is the time of year that the sun sets too soon and the shortening days and the on-coming cold in this part of the world make you want to get out into the colorful countryside a flannel shirt. Fresh cider, warm sunshine, sweet donuts, and people you love—they take the edge off the dread of winter.
The first place we stopped was teaming with people. We said, “We’ll come back on a week day, when it’s not so busy.” We know a smaller place, even farther out in the country. We drove out there the back way. The cider was cold and sweet. The donuts were fresh. We probably ate too many. The conversation was lively. We took the long way home. It as good to be together. We saw Andrea off and our hearts were warm.
Saturday I drove out to South Litchfield to celebrate my brother-in-law’s birthday. Jim is a year older than me. He’s the kind of guy who always wants you to stay. When I arrived and my sister saw me she ran—ran, I tell you, to the car to greet me. At our age we don’t run around a lot. It was an autumn Saturday family gathering. She put a glass of cider in my hand. When I left everyone stood and waved until my car was out of site. I took the backroads home slowly savoring every mile.
It will be colder soon but when I think of my big sister running to greet me and the whole family all standing in the yard waving goodbye it makes my heart warm.
It’s October in Michigan. Check your antifreeze, prep the storm windows, replace the furnace filter, clean your gutters, and—by all means—look around for people to love. They are everywhere you turn.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12, ESV)
Bittersweet Farm
October 6, 2020
Such a sweet story. Thanks for sharing.
This is a charming post, Pastor Ken. You always express yourself in such a winsome way. My pastor reminds us we need to be not only salt and light, but sugar, too. You do that well. I’m praying about that for myself.
By the way, the watercolor paintings are well-done, so pretty.
Loved this one!
I think the image of your sister running out to the car to greet you will be permanently etched in your memory box as one of life’s sweet remembrances! It’s a reminder of how happy we are to see loved ones.
I feel so special!!
I’m praying for you.