It’s been 60 years since I spent all day every day in a school building. And yet when September rolls around I get that “first day of school” excitement all over again. To me, September feels more like the time for a fresh start than January ever does. I have to rein in my shopping excursions this time of year, however, because I have a real weakness for new pencils and pens, lined notebooks, and everything else stores set out in their back-to-school displays. I’m still enjoying a purple folio I bought one year because…well, because it was purple with a purple legal pad inside. Who could resist?
Beyond the back-to-school feeling, however, are all the refreshing signs of change. My Virginia Creeper begins to take on shades of orange and gold. The tips of the leaves on the red maple behind our house hint at the bright ruby brilliance soon to come. And there’s always that one day in the fall when the light becomes noticeably different.
Rather than the sun beaming down with a harsh glare, a more peaceful, golden light descends upon our world. Such a beautiful and peaceful change.
And don’t we need this season to recover from the hectic pace of summer and restore our souls to prepare for the winter to come? Maybe it’s because we remember the chilling winds and icy roads winter brings that we savor every golden September day. Autumn days are just too precious and fleeting to spend them holding on to summer or fearing what’s to come. Rather they bring an opportunity to take a deep breath or two, clip the last of the roses to bring in the house, and curl up on the back porch with a light blanket and an uplifting book.
We hear a lot about New Year’s resolutions in January, but fall is an even better time to reflect on the months of the year behind us and embrace changes that refresh us before we head in to the holiday season. If you find joy in de-cluttering your office or culling clothes from your closet, fall’s the time to do it. If you want to replace the grab-and-go meals of summer with some hearty stews and soups or pumpkin-flavored everything, now’s the time. Refresh family menus with some new recipes from those seldom opened cookbooks!
A praise hymn by Daniel Iverson contains the lyric, “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.” I want to be still long enough this fall season to feel the renewal of the Spirit within me. Then I’ll have a chance of falling afresh in to the new season with joy and hope.
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Oh, Nancy, I say “ditto” to the “back-to-school-shopping” penchant! In addition to the paper school supplies, I always want a new lunch box of some kind, though I surely don’t need one. And I love your metaphor for autumn in our lives. Yes, let’s savor it and not fear the winter that’s coming! Well said. Thank you for the message.
That’s great, Tanya. Hope you find just the right lunchbox!
How apropos that the morning air has a definite chill in it this morning as I read your most descriptive assessment of autumn.
I too want to hold on to the warm days, but sometimes this time of year calls me to look to new beginnings, sweaters, and hot cider, a warm fire and the aromas that bring back cherished memories. As much as I resist it at first, I happily give in to beautiful fall and thank God for the lavish variety that fills our senses.
Thank you for adding your poetic thoughts, Kathy! The season brings them out in us for sure.
I do miss the beautiful colors of Fall in Colorado!!
I miss our good friends, too!
Love you, Jimmie
And we miss you. Enjoy fall in Texas! I’m sure it holds beauty of its own.
Fall: leaves changing color, squirrels gathering acorns in our backyard, chipmunks with bulging cheeks as they prepare for winter, the cute, cuddly-appearing bear cubs now being watched from further away–my present life but with memories of younger years when I was too busy to notice all those things. Life changes! Nancy, thanks for the memories.
Peggy, when I stopped working full time years ago I realized I was noticing birds more than ever before. They had always been there, I was just too busy to notice. Let’s both enjoy the blessings of this season–in the year and in life! Thanks for sharing.
Living in Texas changes one’s perspective as to what we need most. All our heat has pretty much fried green plant growth into hay like remains of a corn field. We need rain so much. The lake we live on is still going down, fish are not biting, the only close similarity to autumn is the leaves continue to fall and pine needles are beyond numbers. Praying for rain.🌧️
Oh, Cheryl, that does sound dismal. We’ve had a very dry summer, too. Hoping for rain now and snow later! God bless.
Well, just about 4 weeks ago I joined our devotional group with a book called The Hope Of Glory and so far so good.
Good to know you found it, Victorious! I pray the words the Lord gave me to impart to older adults will bless you and others in the group. God bless you.
Our forecasts come and then there is a change in the forecast and we fall short for getting rainfall. This week was to be our first honest to goodness rain. We will sit tight and pray.
How is First Presbyterian church doing these days? Is Tim still their head pastor? We seldom get back that way but wish him the best.
Actually living in different places there have not been many Presbyterian churches. Some years ago we became Baptists. Roger and I were both baptized in the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs. We still sing in the choir and our church just got a new minister. 184 ballots we passed out and it was a unanimous vote for our new pastor. He begins October 25th.
Blessings to you and your family.
Tim’s been there 10 years now, Cheryl, and so far so good! He seems to have a lot of support from that community of faith. SO glad you found a church you can commit to. Thanks for staying in touch.