Sorry this is late going up. Autumn is a crazy busy time for me. I have a book due in 11 days. The church rummage sale was this weekend – I donated 7 boxes full of stuff and only brought home 2. And I had a stomach bug that’s going around.
In spite of the craziness, this is one of those times that I always feel closest to God. Maybe it’s because the weather cooled off for an entire week. One day it was 90. The next it was 65. For a week we’ve had the windows open. I got to listen to a gentle rain while I sprawled out on the sofa with a book.
Tomorrow we are even having an outdoor service. We had a great pavilion and the congregation is going to gather out there to praise God. The apartment complex next door will be able to hear our music. Maybe a few extra people will join us.
Tonight, in preparation, we are going to camp out. We’ll start with s’mores and tonka toasters. Then we’ll all sleep out where we can hear the breeze and, less wonderfully, the squirrels. Am I the only one who wonders how a healthy squirrel can make some of those noises?
Whether you get to sleep outdoors, worship under the open sky or just open the windows as the temperatures drop, autumn blurs the walls that we often put up between ourselves and God. It gives us a bit of an opportunity to breathe deep, make connections and make some breathing room in our souls.
Maybe that’s why it’s my favorite time of the year.
–SueBE
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October 1, 2016 at 8:36 pm
rhcwilliams
This post is perfection! Makes you feel good to be alive. Go, SueBE!
PS Squirrel noises give me pause, too, like – are they okay?!?
October 2, 2016 at 1:19 am
calensariel
What a fabulous idea, camping out as a church. We do that, but have to travel about 90 minutes away to our church camp. Sounds wonderful though. It would be a little nippy here tonight. Must be the weekend for rummage sales. Ours was this weekend, too. Got a GREAT Victoria wingback chair for $45! I always feel closer to God this time of year, too. I often think it’s because this is the time of year (or going into the time of year) when nature gets naked before God. Perhaps that makes me trust a little more…
October 4, 2016 at 2:39 am
suebe
I only wish it had been a bit cooler. To warm to stay covered in sleeping bag so I’m COVERED in mosquito bites. Ok, that’s a mild exageration. I probably only have about 25 but I react to badly to them. I look like I have pox! Ah, well. Beautiful camp out. Beautiful service. And lots of fun. We will definitely be doing it again but in cooler weather!
October 6, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Visionariekind
love that last line about “breathing deep make some breathing room for our souls” yes, cheering you for as you launch your book- pls keep us posted love to read it. This is a wonderful time to enjoy the changing of the seasons thank you for the post…