FALL to the ground

WINTER is nipping at our heels.  leaves have FALLen and only those hanging on proudly like a stubborn child remain.  in mere days they, too, will be forced to surrender. the landscape is quickly becoming scarce, lonely, bleak. 

since the onset of FALL it has been speaking to me.  as i watched in admiration the leaves dance their way to the ground, i said a prayer:  Lord, if there is anything in me that is like a dead leaf, hanging on for dear life, but is not life--may it FALL to the ground.

almost immediately all inspiration for our blog was gone; the ease and joy of what once was evaporated into the newly chilled air. picture taking ceased. even when i tried to capture a moment on camera, the pictures came out blurry, dark or off center. it was as if the hand of God took me at my word and brought WINTER.  some years, WINTER comes quickly.

FALLing is good.  it forces us to let go of anything that was sustaining us that is no longer life-giving.  and FALLing brings humility: crisp, clear humility that crunches like leaves on the ground. it shows us what we're made of.  and FALL is necessary--for WINTER to come.

"...unless a kernal of wheat 

FALLS to the ground..." 

John  12:24

with WINTER comes a breathtaking starkness and stillness that can heard--if you listen for it.  although life may appear dead or dormant, underneath bare branches life is hard at work: cleaning out shop, making room for the new, and bustling with a quiet, but nevertheless passionate fervor as it prepares for SPRING. 

come, WINTER.  i  welcome you.