A Monthly Publication

September is an intriguing month.  Anglo Saxons simply called it Gerst Monath (Barley Month) or Haefest Monath (Harvest Month). This is reflected year by year as Churches hold their Harvest Festivals in praise of God’s faithfulness in the seasonal provision of food from the fields. 

              Did you know that September always begins on the same day as December of any year.  For history buffs the year 1752 should ring a bell.  There was absolutely nothing happening between 3^rd and 14^th of September in the British Empire.  The less accurate Julian Calendar was replace with the Gregorian Calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII.  The discrepancy of days that needed to be adjusted was instituted in September 1752 so the 2^nd September was followed by the 14^th.  Many people believed their lives would be shortened. They protested in the streets, demanding "Give us back our 11 days!"  The age old rhyme would have been a little changed that year.  “Nineteen days hath September” it somehow does not have the same ring does it?.  Of course the people alive at that time did not lose one second of their allotted days on earth but it must have been a strange year to live through.  Just imagine the panic induced by a hundred and fourteen shopping days to Christmas suddenly becoming one hundred and three! 

  As I researched these facts I became aware of how people value time.  Pounds are spent on buying product that will either lengthen their lives or make them look as if they are growing no older.  So far I have resisted the temptation of buying anti wrinkle creams!   The concept of eternal youth has captured the imagination of story tellers and film makers for many years.  Peter Pan is a timeless figure.  Seriously! Time is an important commodity, what we do with it and how we best use it affects the world around us.  I wonder as we look back over our lives do we ever ask the question how better could I have spent the time?  Or how can I live a more fulfilling and useful life now?  In the Bible the Apostle Paul reflected on his life of service to God and his people.  He was the person with the God-given task of telling the story of Jesus to people outside of the Jewish communities.  Writing to his young friend Timothy he said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”   2 Timothy 4 v7   He lived his life in the service of others and carried out his calling with enthusiasm and dedication.