Appreciate God's bountiful blessings

I think fall is my favorite time of the year. God paints fall with strokes of flaming gold, hues of copper, brilliant orange and scarlet red. Green leaves of summer are now becoming sparkling jewels escaping from God's treasure box of beauty.

I love the outside aroma of my neighbor's fireplace, the flavor of autumn's apples, football games, the cricket's song and rosy cheeks of children at play.

Wait! I like winter too with its crispy frosty air and sparkling white snow reflecting glistening diamonds in the sunshine. I love to hear the "crunching" of steps. It takes me back walking in snow with my high school sweetheart … a tall, dark, handsome man throwing snowballs at me.

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" became our theme song until Uncle Sam took him away. Then "Sentimental Journey" brought tears and many love letters.

Maybe it's spring I like the best. That's the time when God's new life bursts into bloom all around and the air smells sweet with nature's perfume. It's a time of renewal and nature bursts with enthusiasm. Even the birds seem to say, "Bless you!"

Or could it be summer with its green patchwork of God's color that hums with the sound of neighboring lawn mowers. The smell of rain intrigues me and I love to run in it. The weeds try to "reign," but I like a challenge. However, I don't exactly like a weed eater on my birthday from you know who?

I find whatever season I am in seems to be the right one and right now, autumn seems so right. As the leaves begin to fall, ending another cycle of life, I think this is their finest hour. The leaves even become even more beautiful as they drop from here and there.

For the believer, the winter of life is the most beautiful. It is not the end, but just the beginning. The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 4:7:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now, a crown is being held for me … a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day, not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again." (NCV)

God's feelings about the homecoming of a saint are revealed in Psalm 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (KJV)

Losing a loved one brings changes in our lives and it's hard to pick up the pieces and move on. Yet the realization that God's child is home with him renews the hope that in the springtime of new life. There will be a grand reunion.

God's cycle of life is a wondrous thing. I'm so glad you and I were born. I would rather have lived than not to have lived at all. God makes no mistakes. God planned our lives and surrounded us with special unique people to love. Those we love color our lives with beautiful leaves of memories. Not even death can take them away. They are forever engraved upon our hearts.

So let's enjoy this season and be grateful for all the other seasons.

Savor them. Be like a sponge and bask in the beauty of each one.

For now, it is fall and it's nature's time to show off. Fall comes tiptoeing into our lives and quietly whispers,

"I'm here! Look at me!" Enjoy God's indescribable paintings.

Appreciate His bountiful blessings. "Fall" with me for this lovely time of the year.

"Happy Fall Yall!"

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is:[email protected]