As I write these words today it is an amazing 61 degrees
outside! After a warm summer these
temperatures feel great! The chill in
the air signals that a change is on the way, and fall has arrived. I absolutely love this time of year, the
array of colors in the trees, the crisp mornings, the feel of a warm drink on a
cool day. As with any change of season
it seems that there are lessons for us to learn as we observe creation. I can’t help but notice that as the leaves
begin to fall the trees do not hang on with dear life but rather release. I was thinking about that concept this
morning. The trees do not hold to the
leaves of the past year but instead let them go. Despite the fact that they will be bear,
despite the fact that they have no clue how cold or mild the winter might
be. Instead without any effort to retain
they release their coverings. Perhaps
the trees know that if they do not release the dying leaves they can never be
prepared for the new growth that will take place in the spring?
The lesson in my life in this season of fall is to learn to
release that which I can’t control. Now
that is easier said than done! Having
stated that confession up front, I will go on to say that it is necessary for
new emotional, spiritual, and physical growth.
Letting go of something or someone is so hard. Indeed there are times that we do not need to
do so, but many times it is in the letting go of what we cannot control that we
find hope. It is in the releasing that
we are opened up for the new things that God may be bringing into our
lives. What a tragedy it would be for
the trees to hold on to all of their leaves!
For if they were unwilling to release the dying leaves of fall they
would never be allowed to showcase the beauty and hope of spring. Such is the case in our lives, we trust that
the God who brings us to the places that we must release, will give us the help
to do so, and will also be the same God who restores and makes all things new!
Peace,
Travis
