Let Go – The Trees are Doing It

Autumn is here, and I am very happy about that. Autumn has always been my favorite season. I love the changing color of the trees; the fresh smell of wet leaves covering the ground; breathing in the cooler air; wearing fuzzy scarves and gloves; tasting the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks; and this year I have something new to look forward to - experiencing harvest and hopefully a combine ride (hint hint to all the farmers in Emerson). Autumn is filled with a mixture of nostalgia, blessings, and potential.

One thing that is hard to miss during the autumn is the falling leaves. As we watch the leaves fall to the ground, we can be reminded that nature’s cycles are mirrored in our lives. As the trees let go of their leaves, so too we can let go and release the things that weigh us down - burdens such as pride, anger, regret, guilt, anxiety, hate, doubt, and prejudice. When trees drop their leaves they are open for Nature’s creative process of new growth, and new life. When we let go of our burdens, we open ourselves to experience God’s creative process - A creative process that showers us with love and wisdom; heals our hurts; dissolves our fears and doubts; and feeds our hunger for assurance and peace. Like the trees, we are God’s creation - a creation that God calls good, and we have the assurance that God’s power is ever at work within every circumstance. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope - Jeremiah 29:11. Even as we near winter, and our days grow darker, we have the promise that God continuously makes dark places light, and empty places full. Yes, the tree may lose it leaves and be bare, but come spring, light and rain showers transform the tree with the new buds of life that bloom, and grow. A tree that has let go of it’s leaves is a tree with great potential.

There is a saying, “Let Go, and Let God!” It is a good saying. It is short and to the point. So this autumn: Let go and let God transform you. Let Go and let God heal you. Let Go and let God fill you. Let Go and let God bless you. With your hands open to receive watch what grows. The love and grace that God plants will bloom, and grow and will blow forth from you like seeds to others who also thirst for God’s presence.