Red Leaves
It’s seamless, this turning.
Walking by the river a few days ago, I stopped by the bridge to watch as leaves fell from a tree just ahead. It was the loveliest thing, softly falling. Like the rain. Like a shower of yellow.
Autumn.
It happened so quietly; the deepening of the days, the blushing of the leaves.
Unnoticed was summer’s surrender.
And then I think of God, and of the seasons that change as I walk with Him, mostly unnoticed except with hindsight.
Seasons of barrenness and rest. Of promise, of flourishing. Seasons of harvest.
And I think of His purposes for this season, for such a time as this. For surely these days will yield too, into memories.
Help me Lord to redeem the time that You have given.
For You have said to learn from the signs of the “fig tree and all the trees” Luke 21:29, for “the Kingdom of God is near” Matt.4:17.
Prose and photo by Birgit Whelan © Copyright 2009
Gorgeous words, Birgit. I love how you weave the natural and spiritual seamlessly together in this post. This line is my favorite..”And then I think of God, and of the seasons that change as I walk with Him, mostly unnoticed except with hindsight.” So beautiful and true…
Hi Holley, thanks so much for your lovely comment
Yeah, I love how God shows us His hand at work when we look back, how He’s worked things out for our good, sometimes it’s not always easy to remember this as at the time though I find 
Lovely to hear from you, and lots of blessings.
Your words are beautiful…”the deepening of the days…the blushing of the leaves…”
In hindsight it is much easier to see what’s been. I hope to get a glimpse now, but it’s funny how He doesn’t always let us “see” in the moment…in the current season. Oh, but I do pray, redeem the time. Don’t let me waste a moment, for Your kingdom comes…soon.
“People get ready! Jesus is coming! Soon we’ll be going home!” (Do you know who sings that?)
Thanks for the perspective this morning. Love you, Birg xo
That’s one of my favorite pictures and fondest memories of England…the red leaves.
“Like the rain. Like a shower of yellow.”
I loved this image Birgit, and this is so beautifully written. It is so true how change happens with us barely noticing. And God’s ways are like that- a bit subtle, but evident eventually. I suddenly noticed this weekend everything had turned purple here, the pavements are lined with purple trees and the streets are covered in purple blooms that pop when you drive over them and the smell of purple hangs thickly in the air- the jacaranda blossoms have finally arrived in all its glory and I thought the same thing- I didn’t even notice!
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harvest therefore to send out workers into His harvest field.” Luke 10:2. I’ve been reflecting on harvest season quite a bit these days.
Hi Michelle, I really relate to what you’re saying here about God not always letting us “see” in the current season. It’s often the way for me, but I’m learning to keep trusting, because I love it when I look back and see why God allowed particular things, and the way these have led to His bigger purpose. It really inspires my faith then
Lots of love xo
I love that song that you mention here. Crystal Lewis sings it
I remember you saying how much you love the red leaves here. Do keep a look out for some photos of autumn I’ll be posting soon
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Hi Rain, it’s so lovely to hear that spring has arrived for you
Aren’t jacarandas just beautiful. When I was home in NZ over summer, there were lots of these trees teeming with purple, and they were so lovely!
I really like how you described God’s ways in our lives as being subtle, but “evident eventually.” I was just thinking it’s true of His physical design as well – pregnancy, growing up years, gaining or losing fitness – subtle, but evident eventually. He obviously has purpose in the process, and is very patient
I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend, love to you xo
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Hi Hope, this is such a good reminder to be aware in a spiritual sense of harvest season. Of God’s harvest. And also of being available to Him to be at work in His field. I would love to know what God shows you as you reflect on this …
I hope you’re well, with love xo