We All Fall Down

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.
--1 Peter 5:6 - 7

If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax, I would limber up, I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I know of very few things I would take seriously.
I would take more trips. I would be crazier.
I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets.
I would do more walking and looking.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would have more actual troubles, and fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who lives life prophylactically and sensibly hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I've been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin, and a parachute.
If I had to do it over again I would go places, do things, and travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would play hookey more.
I wouldn't make such good grades, except by accident.
I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.
I'd pick more daisies.

--Anonymous

The Strange Beauty of Autumn

Beauty is not caused. It is. --Emily Dickinson

Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future. --Oliver Wendell Holmes

Somehow, uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful. Even the natural creation attests to this truth. In fall, we marvel at the gorgeous, lush colors of burnt amber, burnished orange, brilliant red, and bright yellow leaves, even as that beauty belies the slow and gradual death of those leaves. Winter buries those leaves under the cold, dark blanket of snow and frost. And yet, death brings forth life. Spring bursts forth year after year with jonquils, iris, lilies, and all the beautiful pastels of new life. --Jill Carattini, Slice of Infinity


Fall is coming. My favorite time of year. I haven't felt it in the air just yet, but these words above from Jill Carattini reminded me that there will be another October soon. I'm glad. I come alive in October. It's the best month God ever created.

If the Lord is willing, I will be burning candles, cooking soups, and riding horses. I will be nesting and putting burnt orange silk arrangements on my front doorstep in this fair time. I will listen to the music of James Taylor and Eva Cassidy and sense the strange beauty of life again. The sign on my door will say, "Welcome," and I will paint my walls hues of amber and laugh with the ones I love.