Drought Unable to Prevent Color

For several weeks prior to the leaves putting on the current display many of us are enjoying, I read reports of how fall foliage would be minimal this year due to the drought conditions and high heat we experienced over the summer months. What happened? As I type this I am looking out my window through several heavily wooded acres. I see oak, cherry, maple, dogwood, crabapple, beech, and more~~ all gloriously arrayed in the colors of autumn. I so look forward to this display every year. There are always the favorite trees to look for and they have not disappointed this year. One Japanese Maple in my yard is so brilliant it almost looks like flames (the Burning Bush?).
There is something inherently soothing about cycles. The change of the seasons, morning and nightfall. The end of the school year, holidays, work and school week followed by a weekend.
I would not like living in a place where there was no change of seasons. Yes, we all complain about the heat of The Valley, and are miserably, stifling hot come July and August, but all the better to enjoy cool November mornings, needing a sweater as you head out the door, and fires with hot chocolate.
Thinking about the seasons always gets my mind on the Liturgical Calendar and then to Scripture. I need to remember that God is Sovereign, the only One who never changes. Despite drought, earthquake, famine, financial chaos, come what may, God remains the same. Over the last few years I have learned in a bone crushing way that all else can, and will be lost. God is the only One who will never change.

Blessed is the man who trusts the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and it is not anxious in the
fear of the drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters roar and the mountains shake.
We will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though its mountains tremble with its tumult.
Psalm 46:1-3

Martin Luther wrote A Mighty Fortress Is Our God from inspiration he received from these verses from this Psalm. One of my favorite hymns.

Have a great day, enjoy the leaves and each moment.

Peace,
Lisa

Angry in Lakebottom

There is a woman I see several times a week when I walk the track at Lakebottom. She will not return a smile or greeting. In fact, just the opposite. She is seething. I have tried numerous times to engage her with eye contact, smiles or even spoken greetings. She looks at me with such hatred, it gives me serious pause.
What has happened to cause her to be so vitriolic?
I think most of us reflect back what we've taken in. She has obviously been the recipient of unkindness. After I few times I thought--How dare she!?
Then I realized if I am to be a source of love in the world, which can frequently be a very unloving place, I must stay the course. When I cross her path I always smile, but if I'm honest I'll admit there are some days when I see her coming and I change direction before I meet her.

I once encountered a toddler with a pronounced facial deformity. I looked in her eyes and smiled and tried to engage her and. . . nothing. She stared back blankly and then looked away. She was reflecting back what she was accustomed to seeing. It made me sad for days. I wonder what became of this little girl, I wonder how she views the world.
I hope she found acceptance and peace.

The world is a harsh place and we could all, myself included, be kinder. I'm going to work on that today. And tomorrow morning if I see the woman walking at Lakebottom, I won't turn away.

Peace,
Lisa