Someone said that Fall is nature’s way of showing how great change can be. I agree with that wholeheartedly! After the heat of the Summer, I look forward to cooler weather and with it comes the beauty of how creation changes from green to shades of orange, yellow, red, and brown, blending into a perfectly peaceful picture.
The first day of Fall officially arrives on the calendar on September 21 but for me it starts on the first day of September! I want to put Summer behind me and enjoy the beautiful colors, scents, and activities of Fall. The names Autumn and Fall have been used interchangeably for years and both refer to this colorful season of the year. The season is appropriately named Fall because it’s the time of year when the trees shed their awesome colored leaves that fall to the ground.
Before you read down to the list, take a moment to think about this question: What activities do you associate with Fall and what stands out for each one?
These are the ones that come to my mind:
- Hayrides – food or bedding for animals
- Corn mazes – corn on the cob
- Halloween parties – apple cider and candy corn
- Hiking – hot chocolate
- Pumpkin painting – pumpkin bread or cake, Jack-o-Lanterns
- Scarecrow – decorating, protection against crop thieves
Did you think of others? I’d love to hear them. Write them in the comments at the end of the post.
The last one on my list, a scarecrow, chases away birds and other creatures from trying to snatch a free meal from the garden. We need a scarecrow in our lives to maintain the peace we so desperately need in our lives. At first thought, you might say Satan is the scarecrow. In some ways he could be. “Scarecrow Satan” could be sitting on your Bible and when you come close to pick it up to read it, he scares you off with something else to do or think about. But I like to think in this scenario of the scarecrow as “Scarecrow Jesus”, the one who chases Satan away when we get too close to temptation or sin. Jesus is much more powerful, safe, and effective than Satan.
Think about the picture in your mind of Satan. It may be the old picture of a red guy with a pitchfork. That would certainly be a scary image for me. But sometimes “Scarecrow Satan” comes dressed in everyday clothes just like you and me and tries to blend into the daily scenes of our lives. After all, he doesn’t want anyone to know who he is because you might tell him to get lost. He looks safe and may even have a clean, soft side about him. But don’t believe it for a minute!
Now think about the picture in your mind of Jesus. No, I don’t mean the physical attributes, but the characteristics of who He is, what He does, His loving words and actions, and the way He protects and provides for us, keeping us away from bad influences. I like the statement on a garden flag that I saw:
“Fall for Jesus. He never leaves.”
How true!!! No matter what happens in our lives, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Friends or family may turn away, mock, or even disown us, but Jesus will never leave us alone. He will always be right there by our side even when we can’t see, hear, or feel Him.
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Hebrews 13:5-6, KJV
So go out and enjoy those Fall colors! Here are some things you could use as a springboard for meditation while you’re out in nature:
- Brown – Thank God for the dirt that trees, fruits, and vegetables grow in, and that we have shade from the sun and food to eat.
- Yellow – Bask in the sunlight of His love and soak it into your heart to draw on when a rainy day comes.
- Orange – Pray for people around the world who have different skin color than you as well as different traditions, beliefs, and livelihoods, especially those who are being persecuted and misled.
- Red – Stop signs are red so think of red as a reminder to stop and help someone else today. Don’t be in a rush. Enjoy life!
- Green – Look for opportunities to share Christ with others who need Him. Ask God to help you grow in your faith and walk with Him.
Take a walk today—not a fast run but a slow-to-moderate walk where you have time to take in everything around you. Drink in the sights, the colors and the way they complement each other. Breathe in the smell of fresh pine trees, dried leaves, burning wood, and the fresh crisp air. Listen to the crunching of dried leaves under your feet, the whisper of the breeze (or howling of the stronger wind), and the rustle of animals hurriedly scavenging for food for their Winter stash. Smile and enjoy all of God’s creation!