I’ve been wracking my brain the past week about what to write about. And now, as I write this, it’s Friday evening, and I haven’t come up with anything clever, wise, or witty.
So why not just chat?
Here in gorgeous eastern Kansas, fall has arrived. I woke this morning to the sound of the furnace running for the first time. I had an extra blanket on my bed, and when I forced myself out from beneath it, the house was cold.
I love that.
Here it is, Friday night, and just a few minutes ago I was curled up on the couch, reading Christina Coryell’s Simply Mad and watching the beginning of the third game in the World Series. I’ve broken out my nice, thick socks and I’m wearing a T-shirt and a sweatshirt.
Can you tell I love fall?
Growing up in the Midwest, I considered fall boring. I’m a redhead so I’ve never been a fan of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Autumn? No thank you. Give me spring every day of the year.
Then I went to college in Florida and realized how much I missed fall. The colors, the cooling weather, the chance to bundle up in sweaters and sweatshirts again. It’s the time of year when you rake up the leaves, burn ’em, and toast marshmallows. The time of year when the light begins to change and a salmony peach gilds the thinning trees each afternoon. There’s something different about the smell of the earth. Everything’s changing, and while some things are dying away, there’s still a unique beauty that captures us and creates all kinds of emotional warmth.
At least for me.
And right now I’m really taking all of the fallness in. The last couple of months have been tougher ones for me. Dead ones, it feels like at times. There are things going on in my life that I don’t like, that I don’t want. Things that, I think, cause certain parts of my life to stagnate, to fade and crumble. And right now there isn’t any way that I can change that.
I don’t say any of this to get pity or sympathy; just being honest here, and sometimes we only show off the really good stuff in our lives, right? Well, none of us live that way all the time. I’d guess everyone reading this can identify in some way. There’s probably something in your own life you’d like to change if you could. Something you wish was warmer. Or newer. Something that you wish would last longer, something you’d like to go back to.
It’s hard to imagine that there’s good in any of it, isn’t it? In my mind, life would work so much better if things went the way that made sense to me. But for whatever reason, God isn’t letting it work out that way. I remind myself what I used to think of fall. That it was a depressing season we’d be better off skipping.
How wrong I was.
Fall reminds me that I don’t know it all. That too often I don’t have the right perspective. That God is far, far bigger than me and knows what He’s doing in a way I’ll never even begin to fathom. There are no wasted seasons in our lives, are there? The cooling we might feel, the deterioration–literal and metaphorical–did not catch Him off guard. Did not slip past Him. Whatever is going on in our lives is not a mistake.
This isn’t the most romantic of posts — or is it? Because no one will ever love us more than God. He loves us enough to do what’s best for us, even when we don’t like it. Even when we whine and complain. Even when we nag Him or ignore Him. He gives us a fall season that we need. And hopefully in time we’ll be able to see the beauty in it and welcome each fall when it comes.
Sally Bradley writes big-city fiction with real issues and real hope. A Chicagoan since age five, Sally has been fascinated by all things Chicago (except for crime, politics, and traffic) for almost as long. She now lives in the Kansas City area with her family, but they get back to Chicago for important things -- like good pizza and a White Sox game. A freelance-fiction editor and former president of her writing chapter, Sally has won a handful of awards for Kept and another work-in-progress. Visit her online at sallybradley.com or on Facebook.
Yes! Fall is amazing in my adult world as well. I am like you though, as a child, and even a young adult, I dreaded the fall, I didn’t even consider the beauty of the season, I just knew that winter was coming, and that meant total boredom. I just posted a beautiful picture of the fall trees with the quote “October is my favorite color” the other day, this season just makes me so much more aware of how amazing God is! I am able to notice His blessings, both big and small during the fall and winter months as well. Fall is so full of beauty, and Thanksgiving, while winter brings the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus!
Thank you for this post. Sometimes the “unplanned” ones end up being the best ones. :)
Thank you for your thoughts on the fall season. I love something about every season. :-) Right now, the colorful leaves, the cooler temperatures, the apple picking and the frost on the grass are just a few of the things I enjoy about this time of year. :-) God is so good to us.
What a great perspective! You’re right, sometimes we have to go through a “Fall”, but we should learn what we can from it, and appreciate the season God has put us in/allowed us to go through. Remember, God works all things to the good of those who love Him. Not that this applies to your situation, but it usually does to mine to some extent, I love the meme that says “all things happen for a reason, sometimes the reason is that you’re stupid and make bad decisions “. But as the prophet Ferris Bueller once said, “Sometimes you just have to stop and look around. Life is fast. If you don’t slow down, you’ll miss it”. May God bless you in the middle of your Fall.
BTW I love Fall, too. One of my very favorite things happens in Fall. Chicago Bears football!
Beautiful post, Sally. Often, writing what’s in our heart, without planning, brings the biggest surprises. I too lived in Florida for a period of time. I certainly missed the change of season and the rolling hills.
I loved fall and (even) winter as a child, but when I started driving, I grew to hate winter. Where I live, the winter temperatures spend a lot of time hovering around the freezing point. That means cycles like snow, rain, freeze, more snow, etc… and country roads get covered with half-frozen slush. Over the years I worked, I phoned in “slick” more often than I phoned in “sick!” (Not often, but sometimes.)
In the past three years I’ve been working from home as a full-time author. Now, if the roads look nasty, I don’t have to go anywhere. I’ve regained my joy in winter and love long walks or snowshoeing. I love the sparkly glitter of hoar frost on the trees. Maybe this year the grandgirls are old enough to “get” how to make snow angels!
So I see fall with new beauty, too. No longer the leadup to dreaded winter, but a season to enjoy. Cooler days and nights (I’m no fan of summer heat), the beauty of changing leaves, and early morning fog.
October is my favorite color–Love that, rcraig! I have to confess that I’ve always loved winter–as long as there’s snow covering everything. I love a good Currier & Ives view out the window.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post; writing it was good for me too.
Haven’t had any frost here yet, but yes, Melissa, I do love seeing that. And apple picking… Haven’t done that in years. Now I want to. :)
Pete, love your comment! Particularly the Bears football part! We are diehard here. I’ve indoctrinated my children about the evils of Packer football and even made sure they know about the time some Packers lineman picked up McMahon and slammed him down on his bad shoulder. Got to raise ’em right. ;) And go, Bears!
Thanks, Jill. We had to do ten minute “free writes” for Advanced Grammar and Comp in college, and it was kinda fun to see what would end up on the paper. I enjoyed going back to that.
Calling in slick–I like that. I’ll have to remember that for…. something, Valerie, because I’ve got the same commute now that you do.
Can I say how much I miss hoar frost? Eight years now in Kansas, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it here. Those pictures are my favorite. So when you get that hoar frost this year, think of me, lol!
There are no wasted seasons in our lives … I’m saving that in my journal. Great reminder that all things work together for good …
Planned or not, your post made me tear up a bit. I’ve been bemoaning fall because I’ve wanted time to slow down to finish the things I wanted to have done by now. I need to slow down and enjoy the crunching leaves. Sigh. Thank you for the reminder! (And hope you enjoy Simply Mad – my eyebrows shot up when I saw that.) ;)
I’m glad, Diane!
I can totally relate, Christina. Summer went way too fast for me too, and there was a lot I didn’t get done either.
As for Simply Mad, yes, I’m enjoying it! Going back to reading right now.
I love the fall colors, hot chocolate and cuddling. The stars are so much brighter to look at and lots of fall parties to have fun at!
jennydtipton at gmail dot com
I think that God allows seasons in our lives to shape and mold us into a people more like Him. With His characteristics, mannerisms, thoughts, actions, etc. Each season is different & brings about different changes. Just like in nature, we need to allow Him to have His way & will in our lives :-) Not easy at times, but He knows what necessary changes we need and that we WILL be better for it! Some seasons are more pleasant than others and we look forward to them, others not so much. I want to always be eager for each season He has for me….a brighter shining piece of gold for Him!
How could I forget the stars, Jenny? Yes, thank you! I think maybe it’s because the days are getting shorter that I notice them more? Stars are definitely a big part of fall.
You said it so well, Trixi! Thank you for that. So agree.
There’s an app called Sky View and it points out all the constellations, planets, stars, and the International Space Station which is cool to watch fly over at night.
Your words are so beautiful. I read it twice and thought about how sad and wonderful fall is. In a way, I see myself in those scattered leaves. I imagine you do too. We are always changing. The changes don’t always make sense, but we know He has a plan. When the wind comes and tosses us about … I’m so glad He catches us.