They are not just dead leaves

We had to go to Dereham one afternoon this week.  As we walked from the car park to the town we walked along a narrow pathway which was covered in golden crunchy leaves that had fallen from the overhanging trees.  It was such a lovely sight, Autumn had arrived in all its splendour and colour giving us not just a rich carpet of colour but exposing the tree branches that had given them life in all their majesty.  Like an intricate web the branches allowed the late autumnal sun to shine through them casting magical shadows across the ground, what a joy it was to experience this.
 
I know it’s nature’s way but it’s so easy to miss the delight, nothing is wasted, the leaves haven’t just died and dropped off the tree they have dropped down and are now a rich carpet on the ground providing nourishment warmth and protection for future new and emerging life.  Left behind is the majesty of the tree that has done its summertime work and is now in a season of re-strengthening ready to start again in springtime.
 
This reminds me that although there may be seasons of quiet and seemingly in-activity in our lives when not a lot seems to be happening or things seem difficult. There is never a time when as believers God has left us and is not at work even if at times it might feel like that to us.
 
So today no matter where you are or how you are feeling, together let us look around and rejoice in the arrival of Autumn and remind ourselves of God’s promise given through Jeremiah.
 
Jeremiah 29 v 11
‘For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’  Amen