October is on our doorstep!

 ‘Tis the month with which we have a love/hate relationship. We love the weather. We love the fall foliage. We hate the shorter days. We hate the thought of winter weather just around the corner. But, we’re not in charge . Just enjoy the good part, ignore the part you don’t like.
As September has wound down, we’ve noticed some of the tree leaves floating down. Earlier, the leaves let go one by one. Or, occasionally, two or three at a time. Scarcely enough to notice as they settled on the lawn. By now, the pace has picked up. A puff of wind sends a dozen or two swirling downward together. As we enter October, leaves are almost continually in the air – and we’ll delight in picking up one or two really colorful ones. As we move through October, the hills will start to glow with beauty and then gradually, each colorful leaf will let go and, suddenly, a load of leaves will have transferred from the treetops into a layer on the ground.
During this spectacular season, we pause and reflect on the Creator of all this beauty. The words “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” [Romans 8:28], come to mind. We’re witness to the wisdom of the Creator right before our eyes: the leaves of summer which have protected the creatures as they produced a new generation, provided shade during the heat, produced oxygen for us to breathe and absorbed our pollution, will note the shrinking hours of daylight. A loss that denies the leaves enough sunshine-fuel to make the green chlorophyll that gives us that feeling of abundance through the long summer days. To our joy, as the green disappears, each leaf reveals the colors hidden within, the glorious reds, oranges, yellows and maroons that provide a spectacular treat for our eyes. Alas, the treat is brief. The leaves soon fall to the ground, accumulating until we have piles to jump in or to swish amongst. But, even then, in God’s wisdom, this is good. All those leaves contain many minerals, food for the tree roots. Dampened by the water He sends from the skies, the leaves slowly disintegrate and their residue seeps downward, feeding the roots, strengthening the trees, and providing nourishment for next year’s leaves.
We wonder if, in God’s wisdom in making all things work together for good, we might see a parallel in our human existence. Every Christian is deeply rooted in a Holy God. Fed by Him, as needed, through the seasons of our life, at different times we provide protection, or nourishment or beauty to those around us. At times, there are intervals that are hard or meaningless. And yet, others are watching. They see us, rooted in a Source that keeps us going and trusting. And sometimes, they, too, want to find that Source, hungering to tap into that root. We may speak of that Source; or, like the trees, we may not say a word. Either way, the Word is preached. Every happening is working together for good. We pray each of you is deeply rooted, and preaching the Word – by your speech or your actions - to hungry souls in this troubled world around us. Happy October! Virginia
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20