Blog: Light and shade under the sun
Text: Jouni Lesonen
Translation: Sirkka-Liisa Leinonen
Brilliant red and blue flowers, white ribbons and fresh green evergreens against a backdrop of gloomy late October night. Some years ago I went to the cemetery in the night to take pictures. I was due to keep a sermon and was looking for stark contrasts, images of darkness and light, brightness and somberness. I was able to capture all that in one picture.
In May, nights are no longer dark in northern Finland. I am about to go for a walk on a radiantly sunny morning. When I walk, I usually only listen to the sounds of nature. This time, however, I am wearing earphones to listen to the morning news. European countries are worried about their economy, the homeless, unemployment and poverty, while somewhere else the main concerns are wars and daily violence. Domestic news report loud debates and arguments about pan-European economy.
At the same time I am following the wake-up sounds of local nature on this spring morning. There are still patches of snow in shady places. Brooks are murmuring on their way toward larger waterways. Small and large birds are singing. I hear black grouse clucking on their mating display.
In my mind I travel back in time. I make a sixty-year leap back to the time where my earliest memories come. I remember the warm July evening when my youngest brother was baptized. Fifty-seven years later I helped to carry his coffin into a grave. Light and shade alternated on that sunny August day.
I continue to listen to the news and the sounds of nature. My memories proceed with small steps toward the present time.
That morning, before I went for a walk, I logged in to social media, where I had a question waiting: “Why do you live in Kainuu?” I answered that question. Fifty years ago I moved here from Savo, the eastern region of Finland just south of Kainuu. I have worked here, married my wife and had a family. My wife and I have raised our children here and built ourselves a home. My life and our lives are here.
I can relate to the words and the melody of the regional anthem: ”Hear the whispering of our wilderness, the splashing of our majestic lakes – – Our liberty is in these forested hills– –To us, the spring brings its fairies.”
We have our worries in Kainuu. The population is declining and ageing. Young people are moving out and not coming back. There is a shortage of specialist workers but also unemployment. Our morbidity rate is high. Many other Finnish provinces are suffering from similar problems. Despite all these reasons for concern, I feel at home in Kainuu. This is where I belong.
The news broadcast ends. I take off my earphones and concentrate on the spring sounds of nature. Walking along, I continue my journey in time toward the present. What things have changed on the way? It seems things have improved. When I compare my childhood to present-day childhood, it seems most things are better. The life and future of our children and grandchildren also seem bright and good. God has a plan for all of us and will give us hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11).
Thinking back to the more than sixty years of my life, I feel joy, gratitude and happiness. That feeling is so strong that I find a hymn on my phone and listen to it.
”My life completely lies within your keeping, where’er I’m trav’ling, laboring or sleeping. Let ev’ry moment be as unto you, that all my neighbors see your love most true, love most true.”
I listen to the hymn several times, sung by different singers. I wish as many people as possible could sincerely join in this hymn: “Your call will gather all your saints together, to praise your wisdom, glory, strength and honor. Come soon, O Savior, open heaven’s door that we could praise you then and evermore, evermore.” (SHZ. 328:7,9.)
Hän virvoittaa minun sieluni, hän ohjaa minua oikeaa tietä nimensä kunnian tähden. Ps. 23:3
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