Autumn leaves

I love Autumn because the trees burst forth in their best dressed leaves and greet me with their warmest greeting. I love the smell of autumn. I love driving through the leaves as they fall to the earth, dancing slowly in a spiral to the earth below. I love the crunch of the leaves under my bundled feet. GAAHHH! I love it.
But if you will, for a moment go with me on a slightly morbid mind trail…

The sad thing about autumn is that it's only a season, and it's beautifully colored leaves only last for a breath until they fall to the earth to take their place with the dirt. The bright colors can't last forever. As much as I want them to greet me every morning  from my balcony, I know that it's only a season. In a few weeks all that will be left is empty branches and a cold wind to take their place.

This holiday, as I was spending what could have been my last thanksgiving with my Grandmother, I was reminded of the seasons changing, and how our youth is like that season of bursting bright color. We won't hold onto our youthful zest forever; just like the leaves can't maintain their bright orange, yellow and red colors forever, simply because of the fact that the earth is drawing us down to meet it and take our place with the dirt. Our bodies are weak and a victim of the sin that's taken this earth captive. But just like the trees dancing and twirling to the earth below, I want to go down dancing and twirling graciously and peacefully. I also want to use my bursting bright colors well though… I want to be a source of joy and wonder. I want people to think of me in the cold gray winter in order to get them through until the bright and warm season of spring. Also I want to get to my fullest potential {my brightest color, if you will}.

I'm going to burst forth brightly in this season, and I hope you are encouraged to do the same.

{The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of the Lord endures forever}