Dead Leaves and Bald Trees

/ Gail Johnson

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

Are you ready for fall?

I was asked that question last week.

And All at Once, summer collapsed into fall.

Fall? I’m still in July. Where did the summer go?

It’s not that I don’t like fall. I love fall with its delicious aromas, warm blankets, and firelight. But this year, we had a lot of rain, and most days I waited, stuck inside.

Stuck.

Isn’t that the way things go at times?

Stuck in a season.

Stuck on an idea.

Stuck with a feeling.

Stuck waiting for a miracle.

Stuck.

Here’s the thing. When I’m stuck, I’m no longer moving forward.

So I decided to get unstuck. Not in the disarray-discomposure-or-incoherence sort of way, but in the able-to-move-freely, happy-to-be-here, looking-forward-to-it kinda way. 🙂

Why?

Fall is a physical and spiritual reminder to let things go that I cannot change.

The trees are about to show

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Job 14:7 KJV

Even the dead leaves of autumn and the bald trees of winter testify of hope. There is always hope no matter the season. His name is Jesus.

No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring

Maybe I won’t get the answers I long for in every season. But I can’t allow it to steal my joy or my hope. Nor will I lounge about in the current season pondering over things I cannot change. I must move on.

Autumn

Blessings await me in this coming season. If only I can recognize them when they appear.

I loved autumn, the season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it

The Lord is always with me wherever my foot may trod. He will not leave me nor forsake me. I have hope. I am not alone.

Neither are you, my friend. No matter the season you’re facing. You’re not alone. The Lord our God is with us leading the way.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 KJV

During this season, I plan to fall deeper in love with the Lord and let the dead things go. How about you?

Click to Tweet: Even the dead leaves of autumn and the bald trees of winter testify of hope. @GailJohnson87 #fall #hope

Praying for you. Thank you for reading and commenting. You are appreciated.

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33 thoughts on “Dead Leaves and Bald Trees”

  2. Beautiful! I love the metaphor of fall and letting go, like the trees do in surrendering their leaves. Indeed, each season has its blessings. Thanks so much for the uplifting reminder! Have a wonderful day!

  3. I pray that my eyes will be opened to see all the blessings where I am and on the road up ahead, not stuck looking back. I loved your line “even the dead trees of autumn and bald trees of winter testify of hope”. I appreciate your hope-filled encouragement!
    Your post reminded me of a quote I once read (sorry I don’t remember the author)…The most Spirit-led person is one who can thank God for blessings that once were but will never be again and thank God for the blessings that will one day be but are not yet.

    • Thanks, Melinda. I owe you thanks for your excellent and timely posts about being remade and writing the hard stuff. 🙂 Between you, Julie Dibble, Jeanne Takenaka, and Angie Arndt, I’ve been receiving timely answers to prayers. I’m rethinking what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. We’re told to go-go-go. Yet, God whispers, “Be still.” I want to know Him as I’ve never known Him before. Thank you for reading and commenting. And thank you for writing the hard stuff. ❤

      • Thank you for your kind words and affirmation. It’s encouraging to know that when I share the hard stuff it meets needs and encourages others. Listening to Jesus, rather than the messages of the world, is always like salmon swimming upstream. Our culture tries to wash us back out into the ocean of mediocrity, but Jesus wants all of us and calls us further up and further in. He’s the only One who truly satisfies!

        (Yes, I did just mix salmon and CSLewis in an analogy. LOL)

  5. I can relate to the “stuck” feeling, though this last week it’s felt less like I’m getting less “unstuck” than maybe a bit “unglued” lol 🙂 Thanks for sharing the lovely quotes and Scriptures! They were a much-needed reminder to rejoice in the change of season, rather than looking back to everything I DIDN’T do in the last season.

    • Anne, you made me smile with your unglued statement. I’ve felt like I was coming unglued this past year with all the unfinished projects staring at me. But His presence and His Scriptures always help. Thanks for your visit. 🙂

  6. Gail, I needed this post today. God knew. 🙂 I enjoy the change from summer to fall. I was commenting to my boys the other day how thankful I am that fall doesn’t just appear one day with all yellow and red and orange leaves. It’s a gradual transition from summer. A slow change. I am thankful for the beauty God shares with us in the changing of the leaves. And the invitation to slow and lean into Him more. 🙂 I look forward to spending more time with Jesus when things begin to slow down a bit in my life. 🙂

    • Jeanne, I love … “And the invitation to slow and lean into Him more.” I’m with you. Slowing and leaning. Thank you for reading and commenting. Your words blessed me. ☺

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