“It’s but a moment.” That’s what the nurse told you twenty minutes ago waiting to see your doctor. Its length is unknown to us because time contains unknown moments and also contains those single, solitary moments.

One moment occurs and a new moment arises. Couple them together and they define our lives. The moments John enjoyed with family and friends became timeless, both in their time and remaining in memories. Time spent with your dentist? You figure that one out. My self-employed dad put a sign on his door at Noon that read, “Back in a moment.” Boy, did he have nice lunches.

John had his moments or should I say he had two moments. A beginning and an end. His final moment was the perfect moment for him because his death date matched with weather. His career was constantly absorbed with considering, planning for, and thinking about – the weather. Is it going to rain today and I need to reschedule? Or, as usual, is the weatherman wrong, once again; 80% of the time? Is the sun too hot today for those needing to work outside? Or, can this be done in winter because it just needs to be done?

The difference between the seasons of fall and winter? It’s how I began my moments with you today. It’s but a moment. December 21 is a moment between ending what began. Or, in faith, it is an ending and a beginning. Sound kind of like life? The fullness of life? We don’t know the amount of our earthly moments but we all know that that one moment will arrive. And, that’s the mystery and the beauty and all of the wonder of the timeliness of that one simple word. I don’t think I need to say that word again. Already said sixteen times with three more at the end.

Life’s beginnings is in the winter with the promise of many of the other three seasons through baptism. Through baptism, we are invited and welcomed to embrace all four seasons. We are never alone because of that sacrament and all the others. God provides and empowers us with the necessary divine strength to weather any winter of our lives. Like winter’s brain tumor. Don’t tell me that those extended years in John’s life didn’t strengthen his winters and truly embrace his bubbling springs, his warming summers of family and friends. Toward the end? With winter’s darkening of his eyes those glowing colors of the fall season he could see now with divine eyes, not only in nature but see all the colors possessed by family and friends. That’s the four seasons. That’s the four seasons that are so much more than the name of a rock group or that famous classical piece of music. John witnessed for all who knew him to live life’s four seasons in all of their beauties and prepared, through faith, their dangers.

“Put on love, perfect love” as Scripture says. “Perfect love” but I would qualify by saying, “as best you can.”

I’m at a resort in Los Angeles and meet a guy who’s a professional landscaper. We get talking and he tells me that Barbra Streisand is looking for bids to do some work at her home. I smiled and said, “That’s great, go for it.” He replied, “I would never accept a job like that because of her perfectionism and its effect on my future projects.” I smiled, once again, and knew. God doesn’t ask for perfection. God only beautifully requests that His creations do the best they can in beautifying themselves, those around them, and the world around them. Sounds like John?

In both health and decline, John lived a life of seasons. Just like we hope to live and honor as our lives continue. Hoped and honored because of our trust and mercy of our Creator.

I had Scripture passages to share with you this holy day but I suspect I’ve used up my moments. John’s holy day of ending and beginning is 12/21. That one final moment. His in-between moments were living and loving all of you.