This morning I looked out back and saw the bare trees. It was beautiful to see the sun peaking through them. I had a moment of appreciation for all those moments this fall I’ve paused to look at the beautiful changing scenery and that I didn’t just wake up to the bare trees this morning.

The reality is, I haven’t always noticed the autum leaves changing. I often would look up one day, see the bare trees and think, “I didn’t even notice the leaves changing, and now they’re gone.” Life can be so busy and rushed, and I can even be distracted by my own thoughts, that I forget to look up and appreciate what is around me. And this isn’t just true about the scenery.

Life has taught me how precious our time here is. It’s an imperfect practice but I am prayerful that I remember to notice the gifts God has surrounded me with everyday, from the people beside me to the scenery around me.

If you too have felt like seasons, in the year or in life, are passing you by, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

May we take a moment to be present where we our feet are. May we look at the scenery around us, and take a look at the people who are beside us; whether we are at home, at work, or wherever we are. May we pray that with God’s help, we can go slower, if not in body, in mind so we are able to grow in our ability to be present with who we are with, and where we are. So when the seasons change, we don’t look back in regret, but instead look back with gratitude for being able to be present in that season.

With love and hope,

Shawn

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“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” - Ecclesiastes 3:1