Having moved into a different house this past summer, I was especially eager to decorate for the fall season. However, I was able to resist until the second week of September, which is quite an accomplishment for me.
If you have read any of my previous articles, you will undoubtedly remember that fall is my favorite time of year. I draw from my memory bank, I can still see our family’s old country farmhouse surrounded by trees gloriously adorned with a variety of colorful leaves as the season changed from summer to fall. Or, perhaps, I love the season of fall so much because of all the good memories I have doing special things during the season with our children—pumpkin patch, fall festival, candy selling, sitting in the chilled air at our son’s soccer games. At any rate, I always look forward to the fall. I look forward to the cool, crisp air, rain, and planning and preparing for the rapidly approaching holiday season.
With the move to our new house came the joy of having a much larger yard (for us here in the Silicon Valley) and some much needed space for our rapidly growing number of grandchildren. In preparation for some guests we were anticipating I decided to add a few decorations outside in the backyard. I stopped by Michaels to pick up a few items and then headed back home to hurriedly set them out. I purchased three signs for the yard that read, “Keep the Faith,” “Scatter Joy” and“Enjoy the Journey.”
As I placed them in the ground,
I thought about that three-point outline. At last, my idea for the North Valley News! Thank you, Lord!
I thought about that three-point outline. At last, my idea for the North Valley News! Thank you, Lord!
- The first sign: “Keep the Faith”
Faith is simply believing without seeing, or a firm belief in something for which there is no proof. I have not seen God, but I know He is real to me, for I see evidence of Him every day. I know what He has done for me in salvation, in my life, and in the lives of my family through the generations. I have had a few earth shattering events in my life, and without my faith in God I do not know what I would have done. Faith has carried me thus far, and it is my strong faith that will carry me home. - The second sign: “Scatter Joy”
This sign caused me to ask myself if I am a joyful person, radiating joy to others along the pathway of life. It would be grievous to me to think that my presence would bring a negative or critical spirit to the people that I come in contact with every day. I want to bring joy to those in my family, my church, my place of employment, and to the people I rub shoulders with on a daily basis. Joy is a state of happiness and a source of happiness and delight. Far too often we as Christians act as though we’ve been “weaned on a dill-pickle” when we should be reflecting the love of Christ and God’s goodness in our lives! Are you a joyful person, or have you become critical, sharp-tongued, and negative? Has someone or something robbed you of your joy? Is your “joy tank” empty or running on fumes? Ask the Lord to restore the joy of your salvation once again to you. - The third sign: “Enjoy the Journey”
Curtis Hutson often said, “You can take a lot on the trip if you enjoy the journey.” That little quote has stayed with me for years. Sometimes the trip gets bumpy and there might be a storm or two, but if we enjoy the journey, we can indeed take a lot on the trip! Faith, family, and friends have made my journey so sweet. I would not change a thing thus far on my journey of life. How about you? Are you enjoying where you are in life? Life has its seasons and we must learn to enjoy each one. Just as I love the fall season, I am certainly just as eager to put out Christmas decorations, Valentine’s decorations, Easter decorations, July 4th decorations and then what seems like a “blink of the eye” it’s time for fall!
I trust that this simple thought from three little yard signs will stay in your mind for years to come.
God bless you,
Mrs. T
Mrs. T
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