Seasonal Goodness - Counting Gifts

I’ve noticed that I tend to write a lot about the seasons, so I hesitate to write one more post related to a certain time of year, but this one may be more about the changing of my heart, rather than the changing of the seasons.

I’ve said it before…

I’m not a big fan of fall. 

The daylight hours growing shorter, the breezes that blow becoming colder, once bright flowers have dried up and blown away, and the obvious notion that the long sleepy winter will soon cover our part of the world with frozen blankets of white?

Well, its coming can make me want to throw down on the ground in a full-blown tantrum like a spoiled child and then pout about the fact that I was born in the South in the middle of summer, but here I am now living in place where it’s possible to get some measure of snow 9 months out of the year.

Winter can be absolutely stunning in its beauty, but around these parts the deep bone-chilling cold can last way, way, waaayyy too long.

I’m pretty convinced that there was no winter in Eden since Adam and Eve had no need for clothes, but then came. . .

 the fall. 

And look, there’s that word again – fall.

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It’s silly, I know, and I just need to get over it! And lately, I’ve been feeling very convicted regarding my attitude towards it.

I was struck by these words I saw posted by a pastor on Facebook the other day, 

“Grumbling and complaining is anti-Christian.”  - Scott Sauls

And I’m also reminded of these words I saved many years ago from the wonderfully wise Ann Voskamp,

“Does my life testify to my belief in the power of complaint — 

or the power of Christ?”

Ouch! I sure hope the people in my life do not see my complaining spirit before they see Christ in me. That would be devastating.

So I’ve decided in these beginning days of autumn, I’m going to change my tune from low grumblings, to songs that lift up praise.

And as Ann so graciously taught me as well, the easiest way to do that is to start counting gifts – 1000 gifts and more. . .

So I will begin with the ones I found just today on a lovely walk.

1. Vibrant red leaves set against a pale blue sky

2. The reflecting beauty of a still pond

3. Flower remnants – exquisite bronze sculptures

4. Silky white milkweed seeds blowing in the breeze

5. A sleepy bumble bee atop a purple aster flower

6. A symphony of praise rising up in my heart 

And the list will continue to go on and on and on, because really, 

the gifts of God are endless.

And no matter the season, there is always a reason to be grateful and to count

each wonderful gift!

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Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.

~ Psalm 95:1-2

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I am linking up once again with a talented group of photographers, writers, and friends 

in the "Circle of Faith in Words and Image", blog circle.

Our theme for this month is, "Seasonal Goodness".
Please click on the links below to visit each one:

Marty @ What Marty Sees
Sandra @ Focusing.Still.
Connie @ Live, Love, Laugh, Hope