What’s Coming Next?
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 (ESV)
The foliage in Tioga County proved to be a most spectacular event. The leaf peepers all “oooh” and “aaah” over the vibrant dancing leaves. Cameras clicked. Shutters closed. Cars pulled off the road without notice.
However, there are those who are focusing on what is coming after this magnificent display of nature. Old Man Winter is preparing to make his grand entrance. Up here that means saying good-bye to a most memorable autumn as snow and ice will soon appear. We’ll awake one morning to find our world has turned white.
We so enjoyed autumn’s colors but we can instantly turn the corner and complain about what’s going to happen in the near future. Talk about a Debbie-Downer! As the cold winds rip the leaves from the branches, the trees stand defenseless, bare and stark. It might be better to just take one day at a time and ease on into the next season.
For some, staying in the moment is a struggle. However, it is in the here and now that we meet up with God. Psalm 118:24 tells us: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. We have all heard and read this verse during our lifetime, but can we do it? Is it even possible to rejoice in each day?
With the negative comments that I hear, I do try to turn them around. My Polly-Anna style usually provokes some eyerolling or even departure. Perhaps we should learn to be more content and grateful for each day as it comes.
I double-dog dare each of you to practice staying in the moment—and enjoy it!
Gracious Lord and Savior, thank You for eyes to see the one-of-a-kind autumn we have enjoyed. Teach us not to jump ahead of You and to enjoy what You have given us this day. AMEN.