Remember to embrace the beauty. I feel like I express my love for fall at this time every year. Fall is a beautiful season where we witness transition and change. While change doesn't always feel good. Often, we must embrace the process, no matter how challenging it may be.
Each season births something new and God's revelation. I am learning in just a few days into October – with fasting and consecration – how meaningful this season of change is.
October 1st was a hard day for me, and it turns out that it was a grief-stricken day for my mom and daughter, too. It's like we entered a new phase of grief at the 6th month mark. I went walking with my neighbor-sister that evening and expressed how challenging it has been to navigate heavily missing my dad while still trying to find my footing here in a new city. I don't feel completely nestled in; I suppose that's normal for relocating to a new region-IDK. But during our chat, she helped me recognize how sacred this quiet time is. If I were still in Maryland, chances are I would've attached to friends or even a discipleship group, all with fruitful intentions, but which could very well cloud my view of relying solely on God through the change. I told her I felt like I was floating with nowhere to land. I felt a sense of being alone.
I was reminded of a red leaf I saw on the ground several weeks ago. I wish I would have taken a picture - I need to get better at that. That red leaf, in its simple form, spoke volumes to me. Considering the date, my first thought was that it seemed premature for the leaf to have changed color and fallen from its branch. Yet, I was still so very captivated by its beauty. I literally stood there looking down at it on the ground. It was perfect. I now find parallels in that leaf. Feeling afloat at times, with questions like 'How did I get here?' and 'Lord, what is this?' Yet, there is still beauty in my circumstances.
Unlike that leaf, the ultimate difference is we are connected to a True Vine that will never let us go if we remain rooted in Him.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
I don't know what your season looks like, but I encourage you to avoid getting too busy resisting or grumbling about change that you miss its beauty. God is doing something, even in this. He makes all things beautiful in their time. And there is always something to be grateful for.
Speaking of Gratitude. Guess what? We're having a Gratitude Challenge for 24 days from November 4th to 26th. Let's enter into the holiday season together with a posture of gratitude. The seasons change, transition is happening, and life is lifing, but God is still very worthy of our gratitude and a heart of Thanksgiving.
It's simple to join, just click here to sign up.
Love you lots,
A song that is on my heart:
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