More emotions

The Oxford diocese have got a link to a new pack from Marie Curie on death and bereavement and it contains the most wonderful prayer:

Lord God, Master Painter,
as the days grow short and the chill winds blow
you colour the trees more beautifully very day,
brushing the leaves with brilliant hues of reds and golds until
suddenly
and quietly
they fall.
And our lives should be like that too,
I think,
For as the days grow short and the bones begin to chill,
You colour our days with brilliant hues of wisdom and experience,
But we –
We miss the beauty and see only the fall,
For, by worshipping the fleeting youth of Spring
We have failed to see the deep beauty of Autumn!

So often our world is focussed on that "fleeting youth of Spring"! the desire to stay forever young and "beautiful" (in the mode that some people dictate as beauty, that is!) rather than embracing maturity and the value of things like wisdom and experience that don't show in young fresh faces - in quite the way that they do in older ones. I always found Mother Theresa's face profoundly beautiful and I don't think any cosmetic company or fashion magazine would feature her.

Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,
so that you may discern what is the will of God
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12.2