Autumn’s Dance

Photo by Tami Collins

Sitting at my desk, beside the only window in our office suite, I get to watch the goings on of the outside world. It’s a welcomed distraction from the 24″ computer screen that I stare at all day. I watch the stiff, fall breeze blow the changing leaves from the branches. The wind bends the branches of evergreens while it sends a flurry of golden autumn color swirling to the ground. The new-fallen litter crunches under foot as passersby scurry to their waiting vehicles.

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." –Genesis 8:22

It can only mean a couple of things.

Photos of friends and family
Thanksgiving 2007

One – my favorite holiday is fast approaching. That wonderful day filled with warm fires, the sights and smells of goodness coming from the kitchen, family and friends gathering around the table to enjoy the feast and give thanks for our many blessings. Pumpkin pie, hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, a long game of Mexican Train dominoes, and a lot of laughs.



Two – winter is on its way. With all that it holds and has in store for us. The beauty of first fallen flakes for the season never ceases to be a wonder in my eyes. I remember the nights as a child when my mom would come into our bedrooms and whisper, “it’s snowing” in our ears so that we would jump up to watch it out the nearest window.

Photo by Tami Collins

The mix of fall’s color strikes a beautiful contrast to the white backdrop of the new quiet blanket covering the once dusty and dry land. It’s a time to settle in with the provisions in place after careful preparation and hours of labor. Wood sheds full of dry, warmth-giving wood, cupboards stocked up with staples for those times when modern conveniences are interrupted by winter’s wrath, candles and lanterns are all accessible and stand ready to be used. Blankets, jackets, and boots have been washed and placed at hand. The garden has been put to bed and the chicken coop has its new light for heat. Scrambling to finish up last minute projects before winter settles in for real, we stand ready as we can be. And, we watch as the Lord renews the world around us in preparation for the Spring Dance.



Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.

-Acts 14:17