Fall

Dear Friend,

Sitting outside in front yard I noticed that the leaves on my neighbors’ tree were starting to fall. They were still so colorful and look to be full of life, yet they were on the ground in the process of withering. Science has taught us that one of the primary purposes of the leaf is photosynthesis-which is the transformation of solar energy and chemicals in the leaves to provide nutrients for the rest of the tree. The leaves also take in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. That’s a place to give thanks, the dead leaves on the ground has contributed to our clean air supply, they have served their purpose.

Since sunlight is the primary process for photosynthesis, during the fall the leave change color due to the shorter hours of daylight, as the trees prepare for the winter season. The tree will seal the places that the leaves were once attached, by cutting off the water supply to the leaves. Which it another reason they change color and fall to the ground. It’s all preparation for winter when it’s colder and less sunlight.

Genesis 8:22 “While the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Season change, and things in our lives like the leaf will fall off, because it no longer serves a purpose in our lives. The tree never questions why its leaves must fall, because it understands the Creator and what the fall and winter season means to creation. The tree knows that its very survival during the winter months, hinges on losing leaves in preparation for the cold weather. It is vital for the tree’s survival, that the leaves detach.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Today I want to encourage us all to trust the timing and seasons of God. Don’t try to figure out how to keep the leaves from falling (the marriage, the children, the family member, the friendship, or the job). Instead trust the Creator (God) who knows every activity under heaven and what exactly needs to fall away in this season for each of His children (creation). Can we trust that what is falling off our lives is vital for our survival in the next season? Can we take the time to give Him thanks and praise for the purpose those things served in its season? Lord we thank you for seasons.

Let’s say it together, “Lord I do not have to under it all, but what I will do is trust your timing and seasons, because I know you love me.”

Letting the Leaves Fall,

Chanda Rose