Virginia Creeper

We have growing in our chapel grounds a small Virginia Creeper. Its autumnal red is a rather welcome burst of colour when other trees and shrubs are beginning to lose their lustre and looking rather tired. I think it would have looked better growing up one of the chapel walls, especially that ugly grey gable, but there is always debate regarding potential damage to a building. So our Creeper was rather diplomatically planted away from the chapel and grows quite happily, if not energetically, on a dry stone wall. Although many other deciduous shrubs and trees’ leaves enjoy a change of colour, the Creeper’s shade of red appears the brightest and richest.

As this nation further spirals away from God’s truth, I find its beauty diminishes in equal measure. A spiritual winter is coming (or is already upon us), as churches close and Christians deplete. Yet God encourages us with the occasional revival and spiritual blessing. It will soon be cold and miserable atop Newby Hill, but the warmth of next summer is recalled in those bright red leaves: better times are surely coming.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10, New King James Version