I love fall! I love the feeling of new beginnings that arrives with September and back-to-school supplies. I love watching the leaves on the trees around me change color. I even love the trees when all the leaves are gone and we see their bare bones etched against gray, wintry days. I echo L.M. Mongomery's words from Anne of Green Gables: "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
Grandson Robby started the tradition of snapping memory pics for me when we'd see a tree dressed in autumnal splendor, but couldn't stop to take a picture. It's a treasured tradition with us. We lived near a ravine in Seattle and we loved the windy days when we could watch leaves twirl and swirl to the bottom of the ravine. My daughter coined the word "leaf fall" for those dramatic days.
As I thought about our theme of change and transformation provided by Leigh Anne, I went in search of a verse I recalled that spoke of transformation and found it in Romans 12:1-2 (KJV):
"1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
I also like this version of these verses offered in The Message, Romans 12:1-2:
"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
As I face this season of new beginnings and transformation, I want to fix my attention more earnestly on God. I want to recognize what he wants from me and respond to it. I want to let him bring out the best in me. I've begun with a renewed focus on reading scripture. This is a habit that I'm always working on, but mostly ends up being sporadic at best. I started small (at least one verse a day), I attached it to an already existing habit (when I make my bed, then I'll read scripture), and I'm trying to remember to affirm, celebrate, and check in with my accountability partner when I've done it.
I hope you feel renewed and refreshed by this time of year. The cooler weather helps, but I know some of you don't have it yet. I lived in Houston for 11 years and I well remember sweating through October birthday parties (both my children have October birthdays). Perhaps you'll want to join me in focusing on habit formation. I like this quote from Ruth Ahmed: "There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees–as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again."
Two favorite pics of fall color:
Ramona, what a beautiful post. I am strengthened by God's word and your words too.
ReplyDeleteI love the reminders that we see transformation all around us in falling leaves and color, Ramona. And i can’t help but think the slow float is also a sign to be gentle with ourselves in this time of change.
ReplyDeleteI am so comforted by your post, your special relationship with your family, and the permission to peel and start again. Yes to the fall of leaves!
ReplyDeleteRamona, I am so surprised that you and I chose the same quote from Romans and inspirational quote from Ruth Ahmed. Your post was soothing. I need to get back to my Bible reading so I am thankful there are prompts for us once a month and topics that let me explore my spiritual side of life. Many blessings to you and your family.-Carol
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell you that your photos are beautiful. We do not have significant changes in our trees.
DeleteThis is Ramona, we don't have much color yet either. The pics I included are from previous years. Our maple is turning, but everything else is lagging. I'm wondering if it won't be as colorful as last year.
DeleteRamona, fall is a time of new beginnings as you say. We see the changes in colors all around us. We hear the sounds of migratory birds stopping at the feeders on their way to their winter homes. We are reminded of the changes happening to ourselves and our loved ones. I especially like the sense of peace and joy your post brings. Bob
ReplyDeleteRamona, thank you for this inspriational post, from the Anne of Green Gables, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." to The Message (love that book). The changing seasons photos are stunning. How lucky we were to spend some time together when Naomi Shihab Nye was in town.
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on change and transformation in this season. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteRamona, all your quotes are like threads of the perfect hue, woven as they are throughout your autumn word-tapestry. I love Anne of Green Gables; I, too, am glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. My Micah was born at the end of the month. My father at the beginning. It really is a pivotal month of change, perhaps more so than any, except maybe April. I also love your strategy to immerse more in Scripture - I often cross-reference verses with The Message. Peterson's ability to get to the gist of the meaning is amazing. Matthew 11 has my favorite of his paraphrases: "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." It is in my mind daily. This is such a deep, rich, uplifting post - thank you for it.
ReplyDeleteOhhh! I love that too. "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." I would love to know who this anonymous comment came from.
DeleteI figured it out. Micah clicked today! This is Fran, right?
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