Passing of a Season

Yesterday I was walking my dog on his favorite trail not far from our home.  The air was crisp and the leaves covered the trail.  For some the color has already left and for others the bright red and orange still    

jumped out to capture my attention. 

As I was walking along, my eye first went to this beautiful red leaf laying on the log.  One of the forms of prayer that I love, and don't do enough, is walking in nature without listening to technology.  No earbuds this day, just the sound and sights of the present moment.  On this day, that was my practice.  As I looked down, I saw this beautiful leaf, full of color, and yet it had fallen from the tree and was sitting majestically on this worn log.  Around it was a large bed of soft pine needles, along with other leaves in varying stages of change.  

One of the blessings of this practice, is the quieting of the mind.  With that comes the opportunity to see and know the world in a new way.  The season of fall is here and passing.  Letting go of the bright color, the brisk air and the season past.  Yet, this image gave me comfort to know that when we let go, it is only then that we can truly be held and know the loving embrace of God.  

Then as I looked up I saw this lone leaf hanging onto the branch, or is it resting, you decide.  I glanced up and began to walk away.  Because I was present, I was able to listen, and notice my thoughts.  Why was I so quickly moving away?  The lone leaf, nesting in the tree was drawing me, but I didn't want to look.  God is a loving and persistent guide.  I went back, looked up and knew that this, felt like a picture of that in between place, that place of having let go, while not quite sure how the landing is going to go.

We are blessed with the change of seasons here in New England.  It is a great opportunity to use these changes as an opportunity to reflect on our own lives.  Where are we growing and changing?  Where can we let go?  Where have we landed when we have let go in the past?

One of my favorite collects from the Book of Common Prayer comes from the Good Friday Liturgy; 

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look

favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred 

mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry

out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world 

see and know that things which were cast down are being

raised up, and things which had grown old are being made

new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection

by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus

Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

I hope we can all enjoy these days of fall, but know that with the closing in of winter comes the preparation for new light and life.