“For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies –
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies –
Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.”
Every shade of peach, brown, orange, yellow, gold, red that is found on the trees, in the field, in the harvest, at the table…
Every shade of green: lime, kelly, sage, hunter, reminding us of life and energy that we did not create…
Every taste we save for the season: caramel, pumpkin, apple, pecan, cider…
Sunflowers bow their heads and let down their seeds for next year while the withering brown stalks of corn blow in the wind – though it feels like yesterday they were vibrant green and yellow giants.
From the changing leaves to the steady evergreens…
From the birds preparing their flight to the squirrels preparing their stay…
Our seemingly mundane January through December gets a golden hour.
The excitement and worries – the old and new plans – the hopes and the failures – the uncomfortable and the unknown in relationships, finances, children, teens, marriage – just life here on earth –
is heavy –
but the backdrop behind it all –
is beauty.
While life is heavy – yes, right in the middle of it – God paints beauty across the sky, in the sunsets, in the surprising chill of the shade and the last moments of warm sun.
How kind of Him.
And how telling.
What is He telling you?
I think the extreme beauty of this season is a reminder that life will remain heavy no matter what details change, but that He’s still here with us, creating new beauty when the old ends, and He will keep on even when we can’t see it.
I think it’s a reminder to learn how to carry a burden, a long term cross, without waiting to live – without waiting to give thanks, without waiting to mourn, without waiting to hope again, without waiting for more – can we let Him be enough for us?
I think it’s a reminder to find the special and marvel at it.
To stop to watch the leaves fall when a gust of wind blows through the trees.
To pause and enjoy that little shiver, knowing full well how luxurious a blanket feels when we need one.
As autumn is a reflection of His beauty, His comfort, and His plan, may we enjoy Him in every aspect of it!
