Fall: Season of Reflection

As I stepped outside my door this morning the air had a crisp, cool bite. It blew through the trees and rattled dry leaves, plucking a few off and dropping them on the colorful ground below. I flipped the collar of my jean jacket up to protect my neck from the chill and paused a moment to admire all that is Fall.

This season always fills me with a mixture of nostalgia and excitement. It signals the nearness of Winter and thus the upcoming end to another year. And even though the trees have no concept of time as we know it, they are faithful in surrendering their leaves. If trees could want and know as we do... would they miss the leaves they grew and wore for so many months? Would they know how letting go helps them grow stronger for winter?

My eyes fell to the ground, admiring how the sunlight danced and skipped between the shadows of branches and leaves. Even the clouds seemed to play with the light! And as I raised my eyes I saw squirrels. They were busy searching for their treasured nuts, their fluffy tails blowing in the breeze light and carefree. But for all their jittery silliness squirrels are faithful in preparing for future needs. They use their energy to find and store up much needed sustenance in winter.

It all made me wonder... what am I doing, or should be doing, to prepare for the upcoming months of my life?


Its a given that none of us know exactly where we will be or what we will be facing even a few hours from right now. Sure we make plans but life can change them at any moment. Illnesses, accidents, terrorist attacks... we really don't know what will happen when we open our eyes in the morning. So what can we do to be prepared?

Most of us would look for somebody who could give us advice, right? But even in that we have to know where to go and who to trust. So, while I was standing in the front lawn watching leaves fall I reflected on all the folks who have been a friend and helped me keep a positive attitude in life.

And then I began to think about how I came to know all these people and after a few minutes I realized that although I loved them, they were not as dear to me as the One who brought them into my life in the first place. No one understands me... loves me so completely as God.

And as I watched those falling leaves I began to think of how intricate each leaf was and how complicated I was in comparison. I wondered why God bothered to create things that ultimately faded, that ultimately died. And it was as if He whispered the answer in my ear... everything was originally made to be enjoyed... admired. He made everything so perfectly that when it finally does die we are left yearning for more, feeling deep down that this life can't be all there is. Its that awareness of something missing inside... something that yearns to be filled but can't be with anything in this life... except by Him.

That's when I realized that God is romantic. Nature, Music, Words, Love... it all came from His heart, from His passion! And just as dead leaves create new soil and then new life so it is with us. Whatever happens, whenever it happens, I know it will be okay because He is with me... because He loves me. And I realized that I too was created to be enjoyed... that maybe my real reason for existing is so He could enjoy my company as I do His. So while I stood watching those falling leaves I entrusted Him with my future. If all I have is God then I already have everything I need. There's no winter storm or terrible event that can take Him from me. I'm prepared.

How about you?

" Your power and goodness, Lord, reach to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Where is there another God like you?" Psalms 71:19

Consequences for Careless Driving

Have you ever seen how aggressive and short-sighted some people drive? On occasion it is necessary to do so but most of the time these drivers are just bullies behind the wheel. There are a few things that really irk me: When people are talking (or texting) on their cell phone while driving, when drivers cut in front of me at the very last second (even when there are no cars behind me), when people use turning lanes to pass as many cars as they can just to be ahead, and when some folks decide to sit in the center of an intersection knowing full well that they no longer have the green light. In New York City you would be given quite a hefty ticket for that little move.

But maybe what troubles me the most about all these behaviors and then some, is that the folks who do them are putting other people's lives, and the quality of other lives, at risk!




I think that the way we live in this society is unhealthy in many ways but perhaps one of the biggest stresses is that so many people are always in such a rush to get somewhere. Which leads me to the photos. The green car is mine. Its totaled. And the driver of the white car is the reason why. She was in too much of a rush to look both ways before dashing out of a StarBucks in order to make a left-hand turn on a very busy highway. Apparently she was hoping to beat traffic from the on-coming lane before they're light turned green.

I have been struggling to regain strength in my arms, neck, and back. The impact was stronger than anyone originally thought but the damage to the car doesn't look so bad at first glance. These past few weeks have found me in physical therapy and doctor visits and trying to find rides to work. There have been issues with the insurance companies so I am still without a car, even a rented one, until it is all cleared up.

But as aggravating as all these events are I'm so thankful that no one was seriously injured. And although I really, really wish the woman had taken a moment to reconsider her actions, I'm not mad at her. It just makes me sad that some people simply don't think about all the lives put at risk when they decide to do something careless or down-right selfish on the road.

And its sometimes hard to understand why bad things happen even when you do everything right. But, personally, I take comfort in God. I put my life and everything that happens to it in His hands. Not because I'm naive or too lazy to see reality, but because there are things in life that have no explanation and when human reasoning ends... the answers have to lie elsewhere.

As my strength returns I will be posting more frequently. But all of you readers do be careful out there. Leave early so you have time to get where you need to be, make important phone calls once you're vehicle stops, and always wear your seatbelt. :)

There was another stranger involved in the accident. A witness stepped forward, checked on everyone in both cars, and used his cell phone to call 911. He was the only person to stop and help. Many folks slowed to stare at us but no one offered a lending hand except for that man. So... if you ever see an accident, if its safe to do so, please stop and help. Assumptions, such as thinking someone else will call it in or check on the victims, are dangerous. Why? Because every second counts when you're dealing with shock and internal injuries which are not always noticeable on the outside.

Thinking back on that man's kindness made me want to do something for him in return. So I'm planning to get the info of that " Good Samaritan" once the police report comes out and give him a small token of appreciation.

Until next post, drive safely! :)

" All things work together for good to them that love the Lord."

Romans 8:28