Letting Leaves Fall
/On a recent hike, I breathed deeply and tried to take in the wonders of Fall. There were many leaves already on the ground, crunching under my feet, teams twirling in the air like synchronized dancers, and still others clinging brightly to the trees.
Despite the fact that the season points to winter’s inevitable chill, Fall remains my favorite time of year. Perhaps it’s because of my time in New England, where I think God invented the season, or the fact that I spent much of my time in the school world where Fall marks an electrifying season of new life, but, whatever the reason, it’s a season that awakens my soul in surprising ways.
As I made my way along the familiar trail, I noticed I could see things usually shrouded by the leaves. I saw mountains not usually visible, and noticed as clouds and birds swirled above. All of it was visible because the leaves had fallen.
For me, it was a reminder that I could create such a season in my personal and spiritual life. Like the leaves twirling in the air and those resting on the ground, this could be a season in which I let things twirl from my to-do list and routine social obligations rest on the ground, revealing distant sights and cooler breezes.
New leaves will arrive, bringing new life and fresh air, but now is the season to let leaves fall, air chill, and views appear.
To everything there is a season . . . inside as well as outside. A gust of gratitude swirls within like the breeze blowing the leaves.