As I was driving home from Virginia yesterday, I was able to see some magnificent fall color. If I had to pick one particular season that I like the best, I think it would have to be fall. Growing up in Southern California, we didn’t see much when the seasons changed. In my neighborhood, the Pilcher and the Blaines families had Liquidamber trees, whose leaves changed when the weather cooled, but that was about it. Not that they didn’t put on a show. According the Wikipedia, The autumnal coloring (of the Liquidamber) is not simply a flame, it is a conflagration. Wow 🙂
During my first fall in Baltimore, I got to see some of the most beautiful foliage I had ever seen. Next to Johns Hopkins University is an area called Wyman Park. The various trees planted there many years ago put on an unbelievable display. Right then and there, fall became my favorite season. Fall is also a season of gratefulness. I’m not just talking about Thanksgiving.
As the plants die back and all the summer blooms have faded into memories, I’m grateful to have the eyes to see God’s beauty all around me.
As I pull up the various vegetable plants that have provided a bounty of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, among others, I’m grateful for the ability to taste all this food, and for the land to grow them. I’m also grateful to the farmers who provide so much of what we put on our plates. There’s is a thankless job filled with long hours and little compensation.
As the air gets colder and the days shorter, I’m grateful to go to work each day to a place with heat, and even more grateful to come home to a warm house. There are many people in the world who would long for such comfort.
Finally (at least for tonight), I’m grateful for the many friends I have. Just today, an unexpected but totally welcome visit by a young man I have known for about half his life took place. He’s looking forward to getting married soon, and it was a joy to sit and talk with him and learn about all that God is doing in his life. I shared with him some of the great things that are happening with me. We are both excited about the future. It is a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
Yes, there is much to be grateful for. What good things are happening with you?
Don’t wait until November 25th to give thanks. Every day should be a day to be grateful. Every day should be one of thanksgiving.
