This was the view out my living room window on this day last year at our old, old house.

The air is fresh and crisp today.  Skies are clear and brilliant blue.  Usually we don’t have much change in color until mid-September, but the maple tree in our old neighborhood was always the first to show off.  I heard somewhere, that the brilliant colors of autumn were the original colors in paradise.  Even if it isn’t true, there is something Godly about the magnificent hues that invade our environment in the fall.  God’s palette is much more vivid than any amount of paint applied to a canvas.  This year has been an early year for color change at our new old house too.  Way back in mid-August, the trees were   showing signs of alteration.

Much like us, and our seasons of life, it seems that we start out fresh and green in spring – not knowing much, but still open to everything the world has to offer.  As the summer sun heats up, so do we.  Hormones rage, life is fun and exciting, we want to have it all.  Then in Autumn, all of our brilliance is displayed.  We’ve reached the peak of our existence.  We’ve accomplished many things.  When Winter’s cold enfolds us in its cape of white, we feel the chill of old age – the stinging joints, the aches and pains, the loss of agility and memory.  It’s a heartless time of life, yet beautiful.  The brilliance of the first snow will eventually wear thin and life will end.

When we have made this journey with God beside us, the changes are more than bearable.  They are a gift of time for us to share His love with others.  A wonderful time of grace.  Because of God’s sweet gift of salvation, life goes on.

So goodbye to summer and hello to autumn.  Let your colors shine!