Just a few weeks ago in September, you kissed your daughter goodbye as she headed off to her first day of secondary school. She’s now a teenager — when did that happen? All of a sudden your beautiful, happy little girl is on the threshold of adulthood. Wise and loving parent that you are, you recognize the signs of the fig tree and are ready with patience and understanding to guide her through the challenges of her teen years . . .

You’ve been offered a promotion. Lord knows, you’ve earned it. Or you’ve been recruited for a position with another company or organization. More money and more benefits, sure, but more responsibility — and that means more time away from your family. Not so long ago you would have jumped at this, but now, older and wiser, you ask for a little time to talk this over with your spouse. At this point in your life, you’re aware of the changing state of the fig tree, when family and stability become more important than money and status.

You’re slowing down. Your reaction time is noticeably slower than a decade ago. It takes you more time to bounce back from simple aches and pains. Things often have to be repeated before you catch it all; you can’t always trust what you’re seeing; you have to write more reminders to yourself. It’s hard to watch the fig tree drop its leaves — but you’re in the autumn of your days, and for the sake of your own safety and the peace-of-mind for those who love you, you struggle to embrace this new chapter of your life.

The sign of the Gospel fig tree can take many forms in our lives. With eyes and hearts of faith, we can recognize such “signs” of God’s love in our changing worlds and passing stages. Change — sometimes frightening, often traumatic, seldom easy — is part of that journey for all of us. But when our “heavens and earths” pass away, the promise of the life of God and the values of Jesus’ Gospel remain constant. With eyes and hearts of faith, we can recognize such “signs” of God’s love in our midst. Every change in direction, every wrinkle of age, every changing world and passing stage are signs along our own journey, guiding us and pointing us forward to the eternal life of God and the promise of the Resurrection of God’s Christ.