The Homestead Way of Life

The Gentle Touch of Autumn

     From the window in front of my desk, I can see my two youngest girls swaying happily on our swingset.  The maple tree behind them is in full fall regalia, all ablaze in yellows and reds.  Leaves swirl and flutter about them as they carry on with their game, unmindful of the dance above their heads.

     We had a rainfall yesterday.  Typical of this time of year, it was not a pounding torrent, but a gentle shower that cleaned the dust out of the air and softened the earth.  In its wake are the billowing clouds now hanging in the western sunset, filling the sky with color -  that indescribable autumn blue, bathed in yellows, pinks and oranges.

     What is it about this season that so fills my heart?  All of creation seems to be bursting forth in colorful abundance.  Like a marathon runner who sprints that last mile, the garden seems to have doubled in her efforts to produce her bounty before the cold comes.  The zucchini, which had been waning in the heat of late summer is now alive again with blossoms and little green vegetables.  The tomatoes are reddening at a breakneck pace.  After the refreshment of the rain, the cosmos and purple coneflowers almost shine with brilliant hues.

     My fall planting of lettuce and carrots is coming along nicely, ready to provide that blessed taste of freshness in the midst of winter's drear.  The birds are beginning to gather in greater numbers around our feeder.  The little spotted Towhee returned a couple of days ago after making himself scarce during the summer.  How extraordinary that the sighting of this small creature could bring such a burst of joy to my heart.  The ways of the Lord are rich and profound and so deeply, deeply satisfying.

     It is no wonder to me that the Lord God commanded His people to celebrate three great feasts during this season of plenty - trumpets, atonement and tabernacles.  Trumpets is the time of new beginnings, a new year on the Jewish calendar.  Hearts are examined and sins confessed and cast away.  After that is the day of atonement, when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to bring that perfect lamb for a sacrifice to cleanse the people of their sins.  And then, Tabernacles - a joyous harvest celebration.  This feast symbolizes the day when the Lord of the Harvest will gather His own and "tabernacle" or dwell with them.  A thought too awesome for my mind to fully comprehend.

     I suppose this is what so touches my spirit.  Autumn is a foretaste, a shadow of the inexpressible blessing of that future day when we shall see our Savior face to face and be filled to all the fullness of His joy.  If I cannot find adequate words to worthily express the beauty I see here and now on the earth, can you imagine what it will be like to look upon Him who is the very Source and Sustainer of all this glory?

     To all of this I can only say - Come, Lord Jesus.  Maranatha!

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08:27, 2006-Oct-5 .. Posted by OurLittleHomestead

Amen Sister!! :)

Lisa

Beautifully said

10:25, 2006-Nov-8 .. Posted by wannabeone

SO beautifully said -- as always! Fall is my favorite season, too. I just love it! However, we have all that color for far too short of a time.

I wrote an article/blog entry expressing how God shows us, through our beautiful Ohio falls, that - in Him - even the death of something can be beautiful. He tells us that the death of one of His saints is a beautiful thing. He shows us, through the beauty of autumn, that the "death" of summer is a beautiful thing and is a precourser of new life in the spring.

Thanks for reminding us of this once again.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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10:11, 2006-Nov-10 .. Posted by Anonymous

Beautiful post! You have captured the loveliness of autumn. I don't know what it is either, that just makes my heart overflow with joy in the fall. It is the merriest of seasons! It indeed makes one wonder at the majesty awaiting us if the splendor on earth is but a hint...

Blessings,
Courtney