.
The autumn colours entice my camera and me out onto woodland paths where vine maples are showing off.
Returning to the back yard I check the lone tree that stretches toward the garden from within the woods. Its colours are changing, too, but I’m disappointed to find a brown blight that spots its leaves.
It has always been spindly, so often nodding in the shade with only a small section able to reach out to the sunlight. The rest of the trunk is perpetually shadowed by crowding evergreens, its roots covered by creek dampened and mouldering debris. Most years the leaves manage to remain clear, but not this year, and I wonder why. There is still a rustic beauty in the etched colours, but it’s blemished. I resolve to clear away the smotherings and try for a better result next year.
I wonder if God looks upon my life efforts, sees the blemishes and is disappointed in the the lack of loveliness in my seasons. Still… in all my imperfections I am one of his creations. Each new season is a fresh opportunity. Each day I can begin again.
There is a comparison in my writing as well — seasons when my well-intentioned writing has faltered and been less than stellar. I labour on to complete the draft, encouraged by the prospect of future revisions. I can make it better.
Renewal ~ Repentance ~ Revision
The ongoing cycle seeks to improve, reaching towards elusive perfection.
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Ten months of 2011 have passed. Do you notice things that you want to do differently ‘next time’?
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MUSINGS 
Lord, teach us to number our days…
Your reminder that this year is almost over and my goals are nearly as far from accomplishment as when I started pricks my conscience. I start each new year with resolutions, resolve and good intentions. Inevitably, life gets in the way, and I get sidetracked. Derailed, even.
Family concerns seem to take precedence over the writing every time. Then exhaustion sets in, and my autumn leaves are brown, blighted, and nibbled at the edges.
Carol/Careann—
That was awesome! I have so little time, I often skip inbox mail and read few blogs. I am so glad I paused on yours today. That was a beautiful way to start my day.
Every day, I keep asking God to help me do it better next time. So glad to know I”m not alone.
Love your writing.
Carol,
I think God sees you as you truly are, beautiful inside and out!
Great post….
Carol, as always your photographs are awesome and I thank you for the time and effort to weave them into another lovely message.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Book of Ecclesiastes. Nothing I have ever read says it better. During each time and for each purpose, we can find new growth, a chance to do better, be better.
I believe that when we love what we do, it shines through. That is what makes it all worth the effort and that is what I “hear” from you 🙂
Carol, yes there are always things I want to change. And those leaves that are blighted-they are useful. Look at the analogy they gave you! Another example of how God can use all things to teach us. Thank you for this reminder!
I suspect the blight is beautiful, too. Just in a different way. 🙂
I’m especially appreciative of all your comments today… thank you! I guess there’s truth in Karen’s suggestion that even the blighted leaves had a benefit as they provided inspiration for this post. When my DH was in active ministry he was always looking for children’s story ideas, gleaning applications he could use from sometimes insignificant objects. Now I’m blogging I find I’m evaluating everything with a potential post in mind. 🙂
“I wonder if God looks upon my life efforts, sees the blemishes and is disappointed in the the lack of loveliness in my seasons. Still… in all my imperfections I am one of his creations. Each new season is a fresh opportunity. Each day I can begin again.”
This is a beautiful sentiment. So eloquent and heartfelt. Thanks for sharing.
Carol, your photos are lovely as is your message. It’s so encouraging to know that the Lord gives us an unlimited number of do-overs. He loves us in spite of our unloveliness. What a blessing.
Oooh, this is just lovely, Carol. Pictures and words. LOTS of stuff I’d like to re-do so far this year. :>) But also a whole lot I wouldn’t change one iota.
I try to remember this very lesson each time I criticize myself. I am God’s daughter and it must hurt to hear my negative thoughts. Great post, Carol. Thanks for reminding me. I know this, yet I still need to remember.
Beautiful photography and words, Carol. I hope you’re doing well. Learning to live with and accept the imperfections of myself and and my work. Thank you for coming by my blog the other day. I’ve been writing more in Spanish than I ever thought I would, or could. : )
These are beautiful photos, Carol! It may be that our blemishes are there to remind us we can’t go it alone.
Thanks again to all of you for stopping in to join in the conversation today. Remembering that our blemishes/imperfections may be there for a reason is a good point!