It’s that time of year; the moment when leaves begin the process of changing into brilliant colors such as fiery reds, oranges, sunny yellows or deep gold. Then as the fall breeze gently drifts in and out of the majestic branches that hold the leaves in their place, each one of those beautiful creations fall to the ground where they eventually lose much of their color and begin to blend into the earth. Winter settles in and generally not a green leaf is to be seen except for the noble pines and magnificent evergreens that proudly keep their splendor regardless of the changing elements around them.
And soon, spring approaches and the process starts all over again. Trees bud and leaves that identically resemble those that fell the season before begin to appear; bright and green, reaching for the sun!
How different and similar we are from the leaves on a tree. When leaves “change” they go from green into the most incredible colors that not even an artist’s palette could replicate. But then they fall to the ground, blend in with their surroundings and disappear from sight. Then, as the robin begins to make its seasonal re-entry into the world, the leaves form once again, looking the same as it did before. Now as humans, we become new as we make fresh decisions and become “changed.” We take on a new color so to speak; people see us in a new light and there is a brilliance about us that causes people to take notice. But how awesome is it that even when we fall and make mistakes, we aren’t destined to hit the ground, blend and disappear! God is there to pick us back up, pull us out of the dirt and show us how we can be brilliant once again; how we can shine. And unlike the leaves that reappear each spring looking identical to the leaf before it, we will always be different, once we’ve committed to take the step and live differently; behave differently. Our lives won’t take on the same shape that we’ve endured for years. God wishes to create a new leaf; allow you to stand out and be a testimony to His love!
“With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown”
~ Chinese Proverb
