The only way my heart knows how to respond is with a peaceful, rested exhale of gratitude.
Deep breath in, long breath out.
I am beyond thankful to be somewhere in the world that Fall is so clearly present. Leaves crunching underneath my toes, rainbow trees dancing against the chilly breeze, golden pathways covered in crispy chlorophyll, misty evenings that require hoodies and scarves, and oh so many apples scattered randomly perfect along the country roads.
Truly one of the most beautiful seasons of Creation.
I went on a long run last night throughout the leafy-covered roads. I couldn't get over the satisfying misty oxygen available to my thirsty lungs. As one foot surpassed the other atop each new fallen leaf laced with it's own unique collection of markings, I couldn't help but just worship.
How beautiful this Creation, and even more beautiful is its' Creator.
Designed to constantly encompass this cycle:
Fall Down, Rest in Silence, Grow Anew, Shine Beautifully.
Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, R e p e a t.
They don't question these seasons, they don't work to stay within their bounds, they simply just let it happen as it was designed to.
It made me start to giggle quietly to myself when I thought about the season of Fall. Why is it called "Fall"? Don't we avoid that word and especially that verb as a people?
I guess it acquired that nickname for it's habitual promise of every leaf being pulled down from it's branches to kiss the ground. It isn't called "Crunch" which would make sense because of the noise heard loud and clear from the crispy sticks and leaves. It isn't called "Color" which would also make sense because the undeniable pallet spread across the color spectrum on every tree and wildflower.
It's called F A L L.
I thought about that while I ran. I thought about the fear we hold as people to fall. How we look down and even laugh on people who do so. How much it hurts and scars us sometimes.
But weaved into the seasons we see the reason that we fall... to get back up, and to grow into something beautiful, stronger, and new.
Because Winter blows its' way in as every leaf and tree is in perfect position to be put to rest. Silenced beautifully and safely in an effortless wonderland. A break from producing, growing, and shining-- a Season to breathe in only peace.
Which leads us into Spring where life begins to grow again. New and lively-- fresh and brave.
Until Summer dances in and shines a bright spotlight on all that we have overcome, all the beauty that The Lord has perfected and sprouted up within us.
Each time that Autumn knocks on our door, it never asks us to discount all the beauty and goodness of Summer slowly exiting behind us. It simply invites us to let ourselves fall again. Sometimes gracefully like the yellow leaf upon the green grass, and sometimes hard like the acorn cracking open onto the pavement.
Maybe we need to let something go, to finally fall out of our clenched, exhausted palms. To be renewed, remade, and reborn into something new, better, and beautiful.
Maybe we need to let ourselves fall into the arms of our Father who is waiting with relentless eyes of love to hold us tightly as we just rest there as long as we need. Until He breathes new life into our tired spirits and sprouts up something new inside our hearts.
Maybe we need to crash hard. Because we are on a path that is leading to destruction and away from our God who loves us with all that He is. To completely crack the foundation of false hope so that He can fully rebuild it with His unshakable faithfulness.
No matter how Autumn finds you, don't be afraid to fall.
In fact, LET yourself fall.
Fall freely, fall with tears, fall with joy, fall with hope, fall with exhaustion, fall with pain, fall with fear, fall with the assurance that just like the leaves scattered upon every part of the ground, their Maker is fully aware of each and every single one. Where it lies, where the wind will take it, where it needs to rest, where it will grow again, and where it will flourish best.
No matter how you fall, you can't fall somewhere He can't find you. He will always find you, pick you up, and delight in the unique colors, scars, and beauty painted upon your heart-- anxious to give you rest and create something stunning & new again.
-Han
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