"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1
Fall officially arrived according to the calendar this Monday. My children and I had a brief discussion at lunch on Monday reviewing the merits of Fall versus summer. Summer as I have shared before is the cream of the crop, the top of the line, King of the Hill, A-number 1 season in my book. Can you hear my enthusiasm screaming at you? The love affair I have had with summer is long standing and therefore has never allowed for an open embrace of any other season. "But why Mom"?, asked my 11 year old. "Fall is so pretty and the weather so perfect", she campaigned.
"Well", I tried to explain and found my excuses were getting weak. "Perhaps I don't like Fall, because I can't enjoy it. I'm too busy!". Aha! Had I just revealed a truth of my overly scheduled life?
As I traveled about during the week, I pondered the reality of the Fall season. "Look at those trees, just beginning to turn color, the pumpkins stacked neatly by the road, the reds, yellows and greens of the fall mums", my thoughts shared with my heart. "Do you feel the gentle breeze of a perfect 70's degree day?" "Can you see the gentle golden wash of sunshine over the landscape"? Like a stubborn child being wooed, my heart began to recognize what I had been missing in my limited love affair with summer. Fall is God's final gift to my northeastern Ohio world before the trees are bare, the snow is flying and everyone must burrow into their homes for a five month winter filled with gray.
I realized in my hurry of a new fall schedule that I was neglecting the colorful treasure placed right before me. Forgive me God, for ignoring this glorious season. The colors, the smells, the delicious fresh cider and apples. How could I have neglected these gifts for so long and only focused on what I had left behind in the summer months?
I began to feel older and wiser. The beauty of Fall gave me a new appreciation of the depth of God's care. As I raced in the car taking my children to their activities, the radiant splendor of God's creation slowed my pace enough to minister to my harried spirit. He knew my heart, my aching sad heart, and chose to touch it with an awesome palette of color and wonder available only in His world. The gentle breeze on my face and the rich fragrance of harvest reminded me that God provides in all seasons of life.
May God bless you with the beauty of Fall, the quietness of Winter, the energy of Spring and the calm relaxed spirit of Summer.
Comments
Sep. 28, 2008 - I'm glad you are beginning to enjoy fall . . .
Posted by SevenSmiths
actually, I've always really enjoyed fall--the autumn colors, the cool breezes, apples and pumpkins . . . . Anyway, wanted to say hello from another TOS crew mate!