“When will the leaves change colors, mommy?” my inquisitive four year old questions. Because I love the changing of the leaves, he loves the changing of the leaves. I point out different leaves whose colors and shapes interest me, noting the different shades of orange and yellow. Now my two year old, always the collector of interesting items, discovers leaves on the ground and gives them to me as presents (along with acorns, hickory nut shells, and oh! an earthworm).
Miracles on miracles. If we could count them all, there would be over a million little miracles.
Sound familiar to anyone? (Elevation Worship and Maverick City recorded one of my oldest son’s all-time favorite songs “Million Little Miracles.”) Ann Voskamp also searched for 1,000 gifts in her everyday life, a book that holds a special place in my personal library. And we are in November, a season of having attitudes of gratitude and thankful hearts.
These noticings are not necessarily a miracle to anyone but our family, but I love that my sons and I are talking about God’s delight in us as we delight in the unique fall colors. I am thankful for the tranquility of mind and heart as we wind down another year. We slow down to catch the sun touching the tips of the tallest trees in our yard, igniting each color in its own glow.
We talk about how the light transforms the trees creating radiant beams of paralleled light. My sons are observing the gradual change of colors from summer to fall; the vibrant greens and lushness of summer to the brilliant reds and eventual bareness of fall.
We pray about and thank God for the green leaves that drip with red foliage, a progressive change to the vulnerable eye. But we have made an honest effort to notice the novelty, to mark the change, and to see its beauty and brilliance. We are thankful for this small delight.
Miracles on Miracles, a thousand bighearted gifts.
I do not want to take these tiny moments with my sons for granted. They might not always notice the changing leaves with me, but this year? They do. And I am so grateful they are just as excited as me about it.
If you know the phrase “to spiral,” you know that one can get stuck in a whirlwind of the same thoughts. Beginning at the top of the spiral working every possible worst-case scenario toward the bottom of the spiral, only to begin again at the top of the spiral, working down, so on and so forth. There seems to be no route forward that can stop this inundated thinking…except a change. A proverbial slap in the face, a mind reset of sorts…or the blinding sun in your eyes as you drive down the road this time of year at 4pm.
I tell my oldest son that change is gradual, a process that takes time. We must be patient; always looking and seeking for the change.
The changing of seasons brings new perspective. A chance to slow down and take notice of what God is doing.
As we move from plastic skeletons emerging from yards, oversized, hairy spiders crawling down staircases, and intrusive cobwebs covering houses (the joys of Halloween…) to all things silver and gold, glittering lights, and the scent of evergreen in every store, it is good to reflect on the overlooked and forgotten miracles in our lives.
Miracles on miracles, a thousand brilliant gifts.
As we go from October to NovemDecember (not a typo), we can feel the gravitational pull to race to the finish of a new year. We rush toward the end of October, skidding into Thanksgiving, falling over ourselves and each other to Christmas. The season can feel a bit like a rat race, one that we would secretly give up if allowed the choice.
But as the season evolves, there is hope. Hope for a fresh start, a new endeavor, an offbeat pace. Something in which to look forward. There can be a feeling of renewed faith in a transforming season. An excited anticipation as the mystery unfolds around the river’s bend. A natural shift in the weather, from blazing hot to cool to cold, allows the senses to rally.
Miracles on miracles, a thousand bountiful gifts.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
It is not always easy to remember the blessings when life hits you. And let’s be honest, life can get pretty rough. In the everyday mundane as mothers like to see it, the dishes stack up, crumbs litter the counters and floors, and your kids are forever in your face because they always need something…ha.
In the worst ways, sickness takes over the household, dreams are shattered, and financial woes accumulate.
The best way toward a thankful heart and mindset, giving thanks in all circumstances, is to look for the miracles and invite your kiddos to do the same. They have a unique advantage of witnessing different angles. And these kiddos will revive your thankful list when your mind cannot slow its spiral down to notice.
Count them all. Each tiny moment.
Revelations you might not have noticed before now blooming in front of your eyes.
Take this minute to breathe in a pause and breathe out thankfulness for the people, circumstances, and blessings in your life.
What do you notice in this changing season? Are you aware that there is beauty happening all around you as you go about your day? God rarely shouts. He can be pretty subtle at times, but He is always trying to get our attention. We need to make a point to slow down and listen.
Write down the gifts and meditate on them:
True: God is good all the time. He works all things for His good. He is always faithful even when we are not.
Noble: The sun at its October/November angle breaking through tree branches, creating seen beams of radiant light. No other season has such boastful colors.
Right: Not keeping a record of wrongs. Each morning holds new mercies. Beginning from a place of positive intention when speaking to my children.
Pure: My daughter’s face as it lights up into a dimpled smile as she looks at her older brothers. My second son asking for prayers for everyone in the family.
Lovely: When my older son leads his younger brother in a difficult situation. The care and compassion he has in speaking to his younger brother always amazes me.
Admirable: The way my husband apologizes for wrongs and how that opens up space for honest communication.
Excellent and Praiseworthy: The love God has for me and everyone in the whole world. When I was still sinning and unlovable, God loved me and sent His son, Jesus, to die for me, so that I would not be condemned, but have life through His son’s death. God’s love covers a multitude of sins. Where I fall short, He sustains.
To answer my son’s question about when will the leaves change? The leaves change when we look up and search for the beauty around us. God is always working in our every day lives. Thoughts can become a tangled mess if left unattended, so let’s focus on searching for the good, the pure, the excellent and praiseworthy in our midst. And let’s lead our children to do the same.
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Pray with Me
Father God, thank you for this new season. Thank you for the bright Fall colors. Thank you for the crinkling of leaves as the gentle Fall breeze brushes through the limbs. Thank you for the beautiful patterns of oranges, reds, and browning leaves against a translucent, cloudless blue sky.
Lord, your seasons are perfect. Help us to take the time to notice You in this season. Lord, I pray that we would feel your delight in us as we delight in what we see, hear, taste, touch. I love that my imagination can run wild with the foliage.
Thank you for being a creative creator. Thank you for your goodness in every season. Lord, I pray that we would slow down and savor every moment, every beautiful tree, every Fall breeze. I pray our hearts would be light as leaves fall and create crunchy paths underfoot. I pray that wonderful memories of our youth would come to mind as we watch piles of leaves scatter.
Thank you for your grace on display in this Fall season. Thank you for always being with us, loving us, and being a good, good Heavenly Father.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Comments
Missed the ever sweet pictures in this one…