Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

She’s here. How can you not notice her? Autumn, how I love you dearly! I don’t know about you, but getting to witness the changing color of leaves, viewing the long shadows the sun produces come late afternoon, and being able to glance at the harvest moon is like witnessing everyday miracles.

Oh sure, weather experts could easily tell us why we see the changes in nature, but I’d rather simply look with love upon the changing colors of our trees and thank God for the miracles taking place every Autumn. This in part makes me grateful for all the other miraculous things we take for granted. Like our ability to smile, to cry, to dance, to laugh–the beautiful feeling one gets from being needed and loved.

Another reason I love Autumn so much has to do with change. I can’t step outside during this season and not feel changed. You too? How God makes everything look so breathtakingly beautiful is beyond me. We get to view firsthand all the changes taking place in nature, and in doing so, I can’t help but feel we are all called to contemplate what changes we need to make in our own personal lives. Please understand that I know how hard it is to change and let go. Like everyone else alive, I have my share of personal experiences. Speaking personally, Autumn, this beautiful season God sends forth, seems to be telling me to let go of those grudges I hold too close to my heart. To let the bitterness of yesterday fall away. She seems to ask me, what good is it to hold onto anger and hurt feelings? It's as if I can hear these words in the wind, “Let go and let God.” He has a way of recreating us that is far beyond our understanding.

Isaiah 55:8 reads, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.” Autumn reminds me that no matter what plans I have made, God has better plans for me. Every year I find myself examining what changes are transpiring inside of me as I stare in amazement at what’s developing outside our windows. I watch the leaves as they fall to the ground without a care in the world, knowing what purpose they served, and will continue to serve by nourishing the earth. This makes me want to give my all to that which God is calling me to do. (This includes trekking through the hard, burdensome, not-so-pleasant paths I sometimes see placed in front of me.)

I know God has plans for each of us. He so wants us to choose His will, to surrender our everyday lives to Him, so that He may use us to produce a much better design that will leave an everlasting impression for all to see.

Invariably this breathtaking change of season always seems to tug at my heart, filling me with a desire to be more like the leaves that yield to the dying of self, allowing new growth to emerge.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Autumn In Full Glory

Photo: Chapin Forest Reservation, Kirtland, Ohio

Courtesy of Cullen O’Donnell