Psalm 17:8 Guard me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
This is the time of year when change is everywhere. From the leaves on the hill sides of Spirit Mountain to the apples on the trees in my orchard, change is all around us. Some of these changes are welcomed by a casual observer. What’s not to like in the reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves on the trees. Even given that we realize these leaves and all the fall beauty is soon to be swept by the wind and blown about on the ground, we still are awed by the wonder of this time of year.
Another of those wonders is just the abundance of apples I have been seeing everywhere. For a while, I thought that it was just my apple trees. Their branches seemed bowed in glorious praise to the God of creation. So many apples that many of the branches could not even sustain the weight of them. SO many, that I have been afraid that I could not use them all or even give them all away. Not to worry though, because the birds and deer are benefitting from this abundance and they also bow in praise to the God of creation and the gifts given with such gracious numbers. Red and ripe and filled with sweet energy. Apples that remind me that I am not the only apple of God’s eye.
Psalmist also shares another wonder that continues to surprise me each and every day. I am not certain how I want to hear these words.
“Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Why do I need to hide? What would cause me to feel the need to hide? Seems everyday a new threat of freedom is being challenged in our country. Not just a few obscure rights or freedoms but freedom its self seems to be at stake lately. But does this mean that I need to hide? Should I hide? Or is the psalmist merely suggesting that when confronting hard times, we need to find our words knowing that God is with us. God’s holy wings have long been an image of God’s divine power and protection. We should not give up on turning to God for a path that leads to wholeness and hope.
Autumn may be a time to prepare for the coming of winter; then again, it may just be the time to let our colors shine. To be sweet grace and courage in the face of hard times to come. Time to savor the abundance of goodness given to us by a loving creator and to share that abundance with all God’s creatures. I want you, my reader, to know that you matter to me.
Together we are joined in this colorful world that bows us in absolute awe and praise of a God whose love has been given in such abundance that we over flow in thanksgiving. Soon I will be harvesting the apples and I cannot wait to share them with you! Please let me know if you need any for pie or jelly or apple sauce, I will be happy to share.