The leaves are changing, the air is cooler and school is well on it’s way. Fall….the beauty of it, the close of the warm sun replaced by the cool breeze. When I got remarried I was blessed with 3 more step children. They were born and raised in Southern Mississippi. They talk about it being 90 degrees there now and it is so hard to believe not being able to enjoy the beauty of fall. As much as I love the heat of summer, I can’t imagine not experiencing the rich colors that fall brings.
It makes me think of a little story. Let me share it with you.
The Anxious Leaf
Once upon a time a little leaf was scared, as leaves often do when a gentle wind blows through their branches. The twig asked, “What is the matter, little leaf?” And the leaf said, “The wind just told me that one day it would pull me off and throw me down to die on the ground.”
The twig told it to the branch on which I grew, and the branch told it to the tree. And when the tree heard it, it rustled all over and sent back word to the leaf, “Do not be afraid. Hold on tightly, and you shall not go until you are ready.”
As so the leaf stopped worrying but went on nestling and singing. Every time the tree shook itself and stirred up all its leaves, the branches shook themselves, and the little twig shook itself, and the little leaf danced up and down merrily, as if nothing could ever pull it off. And so it grew all summer long.
And when the bright days of autumn came the little leaf saw all the leaves around becoming very beautiful. Some were yellow and some scarlet, and some striped with both colors. Then it asked the tree what it meant. And the tree said, “All these leaves are getting ready to fly away, and they have put on these beautiful colors to bring joy to others.”
Then the little leaf saw that it was created for a purpose and there was no reason for it to be scared. The little leaf wanted to bring joy to others too. For it knew for a season it was to be fed by the tree and let the branches protect it. But as time went on the little leaf would need to let go and share the beauty and joy with others.
Just then a little puff of wind came, and the leaf leg go, without even thinking of it, and the wind took it up and it blew in the wind to share what it had learned with others.
This little short story is a reminder of letting go and letting God use us. As we watch leaves fluttering to the ground in the fall, we are reminded that nature’s cycles are mirrored in our lives. Autumn is a time for letting go and releasing thing that have been a burden. Fall is a great time to practice getting out of the way and letting the Spirit take charge of our lives to share what we have learned with those around us.
What do you have to share today??
