A Morning Prayer to See the Beauty of Fall’s Beginning 
By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” – Genesis 8:22

For many people, it’s hard to see summer end. Seemingly countless warm, sunshiny days spoil us in many ways, where we experience freedom from jackets, hats, boots, and gloves, and enjoy the freedom of running barefoot in the grass if we like.

Beach and pool days become less, daily routines and schedules start filling up and, before we realize it, summer is behind us and the signs of the beginning of fall before us.

But, oh, with it comes the bliss of brightly colored changing leaves and blustery soft, crisp winds blowing through the trees, to help to ease us into the beauty and gentleness of fall’s subtle beginning.

God Created the Seasons for Specific Purposes

As God declares, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

For many, Fall brings a refreshing relief from the heat and toil of the summer months, leading the way, preparing, and ushering in the beloved holidays of Reformation Day and Thanksgiving Day, with harvested fields and bountiful produce of robust pumpkins of various sizes, a colorful variety of all size and shapes of gourds, and more.

As God assures us in Isaiah 55:10-11:

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

God Set Seasons to Accomplish His Will

Psalm 104:19 explains how “He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.”

Although we may prefer one season over another, God has set up the seasons to accomplish His will on earth, and we can trust Him that the changing seasons benefit and bless us in ways we may not even realize or understand.

Genesis 1:14 describes, “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years;’” (NASB).

Even if the earth changes around us and runs on its timetable rather than on ours, we can still find rest, comfort, and peace, in knowing God has the Fall changes in His control, obeying His word, and fulfilling His plan for the earth.

God Holds Our Hand

Experiencing the beauty of a changing Fall helps us to see and understand that although changes occur and happen in lives that are out of our control, even so, we can be confident that God is helping us, lovingly holding onto our hand through them, assuring us, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

So, if we’re feeling unsteady and somewhat shaky at the thought of facing another Fall, feeling unprepared to deal with changing times, we can hold tight to God’s hand, asking Him to help us see its beauty through His eyes, trusting He is accomplishing His good will through the changes for our benefit.

One of Fall’s timeless lessons is that beauty often comes in ways we wouldn’t choose, appearing during unstoppable changes, surprising us with spectacular vistas in the process.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
Thank you for the incredible beauty of Fall and for the plentiful bounty it brings forth on earth and into our lives each year.
Help us to take in and experience the beauty of Fall’s changing scenery, to enjoy the transformation and refreshment of it, by focusing our eyes to look past what may seem like losses to us, and enhancing our eyes to see the colorful, splendid, indescribable beauty You display through it.

We are deeply grateful to have Your hand to hold onto throughout the Fall season and all the changes it brings to the earth, knowing You are leading us along Your pathway.
Strengthen us to hold fast to You to keep us steady, confident You won’t let go of our hand through the changes.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/SrdjanPav 

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

Related Resource: Be Still - Advent Meditations

This Advent season can be full and hurried, which is exactly why we need moments to pause and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you space to be with God - and this month, we're walking through Advent Meditations all designed to help you quiet yourself and hear from the Lord. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below