The Splendor and the Glory

 Every year I can tell when the Fall color is at peak, because the big golden maple in the backyard finally starts to turn. Within a week to ten days from then, it will be over. But it is usually glorious around my neighborhood, because we were once in a heavily wooded section and many mature trees were spared when our homes were built. I have trees 70-80 ft tall all around my house. White oaks, red oaks, blackjack oaks, red maple and golden maples, hickory, tupelo and many others are either in my yard or in one of my neighbors. They say that you have less color when you have more rain, but I don't think that is true this year. We have had a very wet year and yet we have brilliant, glorious color in our foliage .

When all is said and done, of course, all the leaves will be on the ground and then a new season starts. But until then, we will enjoy the gift that God once again provides and invites us to enjoy. In the midst of your troubled sea, in spite of your sorrow and grief, regardless of your disappointments and regrets, He is saying "Look at what I can do, look at the splendor and the glory that I give you here; just think of what I have in store for you when we meet in heaven."

Until then, I guess I'm going to have a few leaves to shuffle.