‘Tis a Season

     What is your favorite season?  I have to admit that Fall is not mine.  That title goes to Spring, with its new life and lengthening days.  Still, there are many things that make Fall special.

     I’m not talking about pumpkin spice, although I love a good pumpkin pie.  I’m talking about a little bit more significant things like the fact that all my daughters were born in Autumn.  It was in the Fall twelve years ago that I moved to Colorado.  My second book takes place in the Fall (and just a little in Winter).  

     I will admit that I am a sucker for Fall festivals and a nice big Thanksgiving dinner compete with parade and football watching.  Watching the kids jump in a big pile of freshly raked leaves also warms my heart.  It is with childlike joy that I spend the latter part of Autumn putting up as many lights as I can find on the outside of the house to shine forth the joy of Advent.

     Despite all these wonderful things I find I must fight a little depression in the Fall.  I thrive on daylight and the fall steals a little of that each day.  I am reminded that it was in the Fall 13 years ago that my first wife announced that she was leaving me.  It was also in late Fall that my amazing current wife lost her first husband to a heart attack.

     The one constant in Fall, and all the seasons for that matter, is change.  Some good, some not so good.  In the not so good, I remember that Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever.  

     This Wednesday I get to teach our church’s youth group, The Refuge.  We will be studying the 8th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans.  It is one of the most encouraging chapters in the whole Bible.  I highly recommend it, especially if you are struggling.  It reminds us that, no matter our problems, God can make good come from them.

     I wrote a short piece of fiction to read to the students.  I will share that with you later this week along with a bit of my autumn history.  Until then, sit down with your pumpkin spice latte and watch the brightly colored leaves fall as you enjoy the benefits of fall.