Happy Fall, Y’all!

By Pastor Bridget Sheely

Racine/Wykoff/Sumner Center UMC

Peace and grace to you in the name of Jesus Christ our risen Savior!  I hope you have had the oppor-tunities these last couple of months to find your way down many paths of adventures in the sun and /or days spent sitting on a porch, in a park or with a friend just enjoying all beauty that the wonderful season of summer has had to offer.  For soon the fall season will be fully upon us and those wonderful colors that have painted our evening skies will spill over and on to our trees as they start to change to red, orange, and yellow.  Praise God for his artistry as He kisses our landscape with is His love.

I for one am ready for change of the air, the change of the smell of the day and the changed look of the landscape.  Change is a good and renewing feeling when we embrace the idea that life is more fulfilling and exciting when change enters our daily routines. Moving forward with acceptance to changes in our lives opens the doors new possibilities and joyful anticipations.

When the fall season approaches, I find peace and joy in the words of 1 Timothy 4:4-5 “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”

The inspiration of these words reminds me not to waste my time mourning the summer that was but to look forward with thanksgiving in my heart to what will be.  There is so much to enjoy as we journey through these fall days, such as watching our favorite football games on lazy Sunday afternoons or how about taking a drive to watch the trees transform. Don’t you just love those moments!

I have a dear friend who loves to walk through the fallen leaves just to hear them crunch under her feet.  You never grow too old to have fun in a good old leaf pile., right?!  How about harvesting just the perfect pumpkin to be carved out and displayed with the mystical flicker of a candle hidden inside.

Growing up, fall always brought forth the permanent display of my mom’s canner in the kitchen and each day our kitchen countertop would disappear under the abundance of jarred veggies being prepared to nourish the family all winter long.  But I must say one of the most enjoyable events of the season was and still is all the church dinner invitations that flood the local business bulletin boards, newspapers, and Facebook posts.  You will never find a more delicious meal then attending a local church dinner!

What is your favorite fall activity or memory?  What is one fall event you have always wanted to attend but never had the time to do so?  This is your chance.  Make this season one for the memory books.  You deserve to treat yourself to some fall fun.  Happy fall, y’all!!