Fall -- For What It Is, Brilliance

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

I fear that I've approached the season of fall all wrong for many years now.

I have to be honest with myself that here, in the northwest, summer's glorious attributes ARE very different than that of fall.

And now, as fall is thickly cloaking itself around us this week and I dig my heals deep, (clinging to any remaining summer-ness), I can see that there may just be a better approach to this transition.

A perspective that hopefully provides more wonder and appreciation into this otherwise dreaded and unescapable seasonal transition.

This week, (and the coming ones), I'd like to see fall for what it is vs. what it is not.  Please jump in with me in this on-going series of "Fall -- What it IS" as I begin this quest to see and embrace this new season for all the beauty it holds.

Dwelling upon what it isn't only serves to discourage.  I think I can do with a little less of that in my life.

As the once green leaves surrender to autumn, as the wind sends mighty gusts and rain pours seemingly endlessly...I want to see this season for what it is:

A special, beautiful part of God's master plan for us -- EACH of us -- EACH YEAR!

Yesterday afternoon, (in the sun bursts, in between high wind gusts and downpours) my 2 oldest boys and I went around the block several times and found SO MANY stunning leaves that had completed their life's journey from life-giving tree to soggy ground.

Today, with God's gracious help, I see fall surrounding us and am reminded of it's brilliance of color (GOD'S brilliance!) against the thick and ominous clouds behind them serving as their dramatic backdrop.  

For this, I am thankful and can rejoice!