Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
The Autumn of Life

The autumn leaves can dazzle us with their magnificent colors:  deep red, purple, yellow, gold, bronze, in countless variations and combinations.  Then, shortly after having shown their unspeakable beauty, they fall to the ground and die.  The barren trees remind us that winter is near.   Likewise, the autumn of life has the potential to be very colorful:  wisdom, humor, care, patience, and joy may bloom splendidly just before we fall to the ground and die.  

As we look at the barren trees and remember our dead, let us be grateful for the beauty we saw in them and wait hopefully for a new spring.

- Henri J. M. Nouwen 

For further reflection ...

"The Lord will guide you always, and satisfy your needs in [the parched] land, and will strengthen your frame.  And you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." - Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Comment on this Daily Meditation.

Save the date! "Caregiving from the Heart" webinar April 23rd. Click here for details.

Join us this Lent as we reflect on Nouwen's "The Return of the Prodigal Son". Click here for more information.
 
Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Find us on Pinterest
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.