The Simple Blessings of Summer From the Peanuts gang

By Pastor Mark Woodward

Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston

(and Lenora)

Over the years I have much appreciation for Charles Schulz and his Peanuts characters.  On Facebook I enjoy “Snoopy’s Everybody’s Best Friend.”  Now as summer moves ever closer to autumn, I saw a Peanuts cartoon which kind of spoke to a late summer afternoon.   We see Charlie Brown and his pals gathered around on what could be a late summer’s day.  Lucy is watering sunflowers with the hose, Linus is sitting in the doorway with his blanket, Sally is smiling, Snoopy is taking a nap and Charlie Brown and Woodstock are enjoying some watermelon.  The fan is blowing a  cool breeze and everyone seems happy and content.  It is a peaceful picture depicting a late summer theme…

As I look at this picture, I think to myself, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if people everywhere could enjoy the gentleness, happiness and peace of  a  late summer’s afternoon?”

Charles Schulz as a cartoonist often depicts theological and biblical themes.  In the Peanuts characters, one finds various storylines that portray themes of Christian faith and the  Christian journey as disciples of Jesus.   A few days ago, it was really hot outside, the pool was closing and my little grandson Connor and I decided to watch a movie together.  We turned on “It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas” and  watched as the Peanuts characters told the story of the birth of Jesus.  It was a blessed afternoon.

It is almost September.  It is time to think about autumn activities and events and to reflect back on the beauty and wonder of summer as the season draws to a close.

It is time to give thanks for those beautiful blessings that we share together… the blessings of family, friends, community, church, faith. love, sunflowers  and watermelon.

Charlie Brown and his friends were gathered together on that summer’s afternoon.  They were sharing together in the goodness of life and the goodness of God’s love surrounding them in the simple blessings of life.  As summer moves ever closer to autumn, let’s take time to think about the blessings we share together and find ways that we can help and encourage others around us. There is a certain peace and simple beauty depicted by Charles Schulz – the Peanuts characters together – on a late summer’s day… In all things, let us give thanks to God for the blessings we share together and may we be people who build up and encourage others as we live and share the Good News of Jesus.

Lucy is watering the sunflowers, Sally is smiling by the door, Linus is cuddling his blanket, Snoopy is taking a nap, Charlie Brown and Woodstock are enjoying some watermelon…and the fan is blowing a cool breeze… Life is good and we are blessed… let us share our blessings with others all to the glory of God!

God’s Blessings Always!