What a glorious time of the year. The heat has abated, the rains have watered the ground, and now the sun is shining. I love, love, love the Fall of the year. The temperature begins to moderate, the trees start to show their colors, and the air seems different. I know, I know, how can the air be different? But it is. The air seems cleaner and crisper.
The air between me and you seems different too. Its something about this time of year that seems to initiate a real sense of harmony. That may sound corny and like nostalgia talking, but it feels that way to me. I see everything differently in the Fall. I know there’s a lot of activity during the Fall, but for me it becomes a time when I want to sit and have conversations with others. I want to hear about all the things they are planning for this last part of the year; Fall festivals, Halloween parties, preparations for Thanksgiving gatherings, and of course, Christmastime! I enjoy hearing how others celebrate, what brings them joy, what all they are looking forward to. It all somehow brings to my mind a sense of belonging. We don’t all celebrate the same, nor do we have the same activities, but we all have a commonality from similar experiences.
When I was a child I remember this time of year in school. The pictures we would see of this season had beautiful trees in full Fall colors of tan, yellow, orange, burgundy. The backgrounds stuck in my mind. Growing up in San Antonio we didn’t have much in the way of seasonal change, it was hot, and not so hot most of the year. But those pictures made me understand the seasons others experienced beyond my little corner of the world.
As an adult, one of my most favorite vacation places has become the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York. I have been privileged to spend a few Fall vacations in that part of the country. There is a YMCA camp in the Adirondacks that is set right on the shores of Lake George. I can’t even begin to describe the beauty of that area this time of year. The mountains are some of the oldest in this part of the world. They are aren’t jagged peaks, but more rounded and rolling. All of it covered in a profusion of color. It literally looks like you have stepped into a picture post card. Every wide spot in the road has a fruit vegetable stand with the harvest of the season. The towns have these wonderful little mini festivals with lots and lots of apples. Some of the best you’ve ever had. So there are apple dumplings, apple cider donuts, apple cakes, apple juice and cider. Everywhere you look it is beautiful and joyful. People are slower, kinder, gentler. I remember getting lost on some backroads trying to find the road that would take me to Montreal, Canada. When I stopped for directions (yes this was pre-gps on every phone), the men I asked were so intent that I find my way with the directions to the right road, they even offered to drive ahead and lead me there.
The Psalmist in Psalm 65:11 tells us…”: “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” And the writer of Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 3:11 says…”For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
You remember the line from Alice Walker’s The Color Purple? Shug Avery talking with Celie says…”I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” That’s what I think about the Fall season. God has to love this season so much. So much has been provided for our enjoyment, to bring our lives to a more joyful and warm place. God surely appreciates our festivals, our parties, our activities this time of year. All of it is a celebration of God’s goodness toward us, and also a reminder of our abundance and the need to share that with others.
I hope and pray this season finds you as nostalgic as I am. May this time of year find us breathing fresh, crisp air in. Feeling a sense of belonging with those around us. Reminding us of all the many blessings God has provided, and giving us a true desire to share all we have.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom