It’s that time again, friends! It's time to whip out the pumpkin spice and hit the festivals to welcome in the sweet season of fall. My heart jumps for glee every time I get a whiff of cinnamon and cloves, as I know it’s ushering in my favorite time of year, paving the way for the holidays that call for family gatherings and fellowship with loved ones.
Fall has this uncanny way of revealing that seasons do change, with its cool whispers of renewal and the beautiful canvas that declares peace with vibrant and invigorating color palettes stretching across our landscapes. It’s as if fall breathes life back into the broken and shattered parts of our lives with a bold statement that our God is the most fantastic artist and continues to paint and write our stories with a beautiful purpose (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
Yet, as wonderful as this season is, it can stir up a lot of emotional responses. Maybe you’re the mom trying to pack in all the activities and make memories with your family, but you’re burning out fast. Perhaps this season brings sorrow as you enter a gathering without a loved one or sit at a table with an empty seat. These feelings are entirely valid, and I, too, understand the beauty and weight this season brings. However, what if there was a different way to head into this sentimental season? What if it came with the simplicity of enjoying and savoring moments through a Biblical lens?
Sweet sis, let’s enter the season by embracing God’s goodness and grace today. There is no need to “do it all” or be run by emotions; rather, we should intentionally fill our schedules with family traditions that will allow us to honor God and fill our hearts with hope!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells sus to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. What a beautiful reminder as we head into a year that beckons us to hold a grateful heart and count our bounty of blessings. Some simple ways to posture our hearts in prayer are to start at the dinner table. Hold open-ended conversations that allow you to hear the hearts of your children and how God is moving in their lives. Simple conversation starters could include: What has God shown you this week that reminds you of His love? What “fruits” do you feel God is cultivating in your life right now? What are you most thankful for in this season of your life?
Some other ways you and your family can be intentional about posturing your heart in prayer are by having a prayer walk. Walk around your neighborhood or local park, pray, and give thanks as a family for God’s provision and blessings. You may also feel led to start a family gratitude journal or do a fall Bible study and dig into God’s Word together. YouVersion offers a variety of study plans. You could also just read through the Proverbs, which is chock-full of wisdom, or tap into one of the gospels, and as you read, respond, and reflect as a family, invite God into your hearts so you can answer and live out your faith with courage and boldness this fall.
Proverbs 1:8, Ephesians 5:15-16, and Psalm 133:1, among many other powerful verses throughout the scriptures, remind us of the power of unity in our family. As we humbly shepherd our children and lead them to the Lord, we must recognize that it all begins at home. Before we send them out into a broken world, we must equip them and give them a solid foundation (Ephesians 6:10 and Proverbs 22:6).
As we enter this tender season that practically invites us to snuggle under a blanket with a cup of apple cider and get cozy, let’s do so with a mindset that aims to share God’s love every chance we get with our precious tiny humans. It doesn’t have to be grand or elaborate, as the unexpected and beautiful moments can mean the most.
Whether you snuggle up together and read a fun fall story, bringing it back to God’s faithfulness, or bake festive goodies together, smelling up your home and letting you bask in God’s goodness, beauty, and the simple things.
There is nothing sweeter than soaking in the wonders of our God in His beautiful creation. As the green leaves fade into deep and rich reds, oranges, yellows, and purples, and the crisp air nips at our noses when we step outside, take a moment to savor it! In Romans 1:20, Paul reminds us that as God’s beloved children, we can connect and abide in Him by seeking Him through His creation.
This fall, depending on where you live, you can do just that by exploring His beauty. Go on a family hike, stand upon the shore of a beach, climb up to a mountaintop, or step outside and listen to the nature of your backyard, but make room to embrace God’s creation.
You can hit God's local pumpkin patch, attend a fall festival, take a short trip to a neighboring town to sightsee and enjoy the fall foliage, or pack a fun picnic lunch and enjoy the cooler weather. But get outdoors!
If you are still searching for other festive ideas to create family traditions and celebrate the season, try one (or two) activities below. Remember, simplicity is key, and purposefully and intentionally placing events on your calendar this time of year allows us to embrace it with thankful hearts.
May God fill your hearts and homes with His loving presence and bring you peace and comfort as you enjoy this season and embrace the beauty it brings. Happy fall, y’all!
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