God the Creator displayed his multicolored masterpieces last weekend for my hubby and me as we traveled in update New York. We arrived at the perfect fall foliage point. What a feast for the eyes and the heart.
The hills wrapped themselves with a warm sweater of fall shades. Everywhere we looked we drank in spicy muddy browns, bright mustard yellows, rich ruddy reds and spikes of exploding oranges.
I asked God why.
Why take the time to create such an amazing autumn artistry?
God didn’t have to present such a wonderful show.
God could have skipped the colors and dashed from green to bare in an instant.
But God chose to mesmerize us with his heavenly hues.
God the Artist opted to paint.
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I studied these dazzling hills and reflected about transition times. Most changes aren’t abrupt, though can happen like a sudden harsh windstorm tearing the leaves off before they had a chance to shine their colors. In reality many shifts are more gradual and hold moments to delight in and to cherish.
When I struggle with something altering, I tend to narrow my focus – seeing all negative behaviors, experiencing every despairing emotion and limiting my thoughts only through the lens of change.
Like only seeing one tree.
This fall I am reminded to widen my view and savor the entire hillside. Instead of a lone brown tree, the neighboring hues blend to create a clearer understanding.
Fall reminds me that everything is impermanent. Embrace those we love now because we may not have tomorrow.
“I was once told that certain spiritual masters in Tibet used to set their teacups upside down before they went to bed each night as a reminder that all life was impermanent.
And then, when they awoke each morning, they turned their teacups right side up again with the happy thought, ‘I’m still here!’
This simple gesture was a wonderful reminder to celebrate every moment of the day.”
Susan Jeffries
I learned about why the colors change in this fascinating video. Did you know the oranges and yellows are in the leaves all summer long? We just don’t see them until green chlorophyll starts to fade – an important lesson on why letting go often reveals hidden treasures.
Savor autumn this year.
Listen to the glowing colors and hear the lessons from God the Artist.
Remember God could have skipped the color but he chose not to.
Pay attention when God adds his touch.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the woods will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord
Psalm 96: 12-13
What is autumn saying to you?
Beautiful post. God truly is the original artist!!!
We don’t get much a fall here in Florida (boo hoo!), but we have managed to sneak away to my sister in law’s in NC a couple of times in October — so beautiful! — Love that passage from Psalms. 🙂
Fall has always seemed like the start of a new year to me. I tend to live by the school calender(: This year, we took on too much as a family, and our precious daughter has been completely overwhelmed. I am happy to say that she will complete one of the things she is involved with next week and we hope to have a bit of down time for her. My husband and I are workaholics and we need to remember not to pass that on to our girl. I love fall, and will remember to stop and look at God’s glory this year(: Susan
Hi Janet, thanks for your kind words. The fall colors were so wonderful I just had to share them with everyone.
I was floored, Lisa, by the fall colors this year. And I am a spring person, never an fall person. Seems like God is inviting me to listen and learn from all of his seasons.
Beautiful pictures, thought-provoking ideas. I knew about the chlorophyll (random facts file of a 5th-grade teacher…) – but I like to think of those beautiful warm colors of fall as the trees giving sunlight back when the days and nights begin to cool… Have a wonderful week.
Wow. Just wow. Those pictures are awesome. Our God is definitely quite the artist!
Using fall as a time to remind yourself that everything is impermanent is a good reminder for me too, Jean. It’s only because the trees are letting go of making new leaves that we get the beauty of these changing ones. Thanks for sharing that.
Glad we have connected over the internet, Christy. That fall foliage was so breathtaking this past week – that really gave me much to ponder.
A lot of food for thought here. I liked the idea of looking at the big picture instead of focusing on the “one tree.” I also appreciated your thoughts at the end about how the colors are always in the leaf — “why letting go often reveals hidden treasures.” Beautiful!
Christy @ A Heartening Life
http://www.ahearteninglife.com