fall as prologue

i was so excited the other day when i walked outside and the wind seemed to have a bit of an edge to it. not too much, just that slight bite that makes you put on a warm sweater or hoodie and go for walks without sweating. i love fall, i love spring-those transition seasons that find the happy medium between stifling hot and freezing cold. for some, fall is a nearing of the end of a chapter...the part of the story where the climax starts coming down and there is a foreshadowing of the ending, of the conclusion.

i don't think of fall as a conclusion.

i think of fall as a prologue. as the start of something.


its true that the trees are losing their leaves.
and crops are being harvested-indicating the ending of much labor
the calendar year is coming toward the last months

but with the coming of fall i anticipate so many things, that it cannot mean a conclusion...

the changing, dieing leaves remind me of how pain fosters growth and prepares me for what is next. it shows me the beauty of dieing to myself, of getting rid of that within me that keeps me from knowing HIM.

the harvested crops are a joy to see, but it reminds me that there is more ground ahead to plant, and that workers are few. it reminds me to prepare for the work that is in front of me...to not get caught in the mundane

the last months are those that are meaningful with friends and family-a time to reflect over the year, but even more to plan for what is coming. future decisions.

for me, the first season is fall, a time to refresh and prepare...knowing that the hard trials of winter will test me, that the joy of spring will encourage me, the drudgery of summer will remind me of my conviction, and that once again fall will come with that cool breeze to make me

pause
rest
reflect

anticipate


as i wear my favorite sweater and envelop with my rosy, cold hands a mug of hot apple cider...

i will reflect...
but i will also take what i have learned
and write a prologue for the next year
so that each volume in my life's story
will be richer, more meaningful...

and i hope most of all- that evidences of HIS grace will be increased on every page