When you have spent all morning raking leaves, I don’t recommend looking up. At least not in our yard. What seems to a whole season’s worth of raking is quickly dismissed by a glance upwards. How could there have been so many leaves on the ground….and so many still hanging on the trees?
I suspect the trees and their leaves have a message for me.
Fall always speaks so deeply to my soul. Of new beginnings and back to school. Of establishing routine. Of letting go and death so that new may come.
Today the trees holding their leaves at will, remind me of limits. Of my limits. Of places I can’t control.
The leaves hang on to the tree. They may not come down before the last leaf collection date. They may not come down according to my schedule of open weekends. They may not come down before the first blanket of snow.
But they will fall. They always do. Year after year.
Their falling is accompanied by shorter days. Colder weather. In unison they seem to be saying, “rest, the harvest is ready”.
Sabbath invites. You are made to rest. Made to know there is one greater than you. He keeps the universe running while you sleep. He shortens the daylight hours. He brings a hush to the world.
The squirrels scurry. Limited acorns to be found.
But not my father’s resources. Abundance is found in his presence. It awaits me in the season of withdrawing. Of letting leaves fall from their branch. A dying so new life may come. Not one leaf before it’s time.
They will fall. They always do. Year after year.
And when they do, He is there. Always there. Moment upon moment. Year after year.
What have you been noticing about God this fall?
I’m participating with The Nester in 31 Days of Noticing the Moment. This is Day 24.
You can find all 31 Dayers here. There are so many wonderful topics.
If you miss any days in the series, you can find introductory and each days post here.
That tree is gorgeous!