To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
This is our thermostat on Saturday morning. Do you see the outdoor temperature? Yes! Fall is not only here on the calendar, but in the air, too. Now, I know some of you who live farther north are accustomed to these cooler temps in September, but in Georgia, it's an entirely different story. These morning lows are a much more common occurrence in October and November.
Does this mean we won't experience days when it feels like summer has made a comeback? Of course not. But when I look at the weather forecast 10 days out, every morning shows low temperatures in the 50s and 60s; the afternoons will see highs in the mild 70s and doable 80s. Since Danny and I are both cool weather people, this is ideal for us.
Danny takes full advantage of these moderating temps to clean both of our decks, one on Friday and the other today.
Can you tell that the back deck is still wet? You can also see that the leaves are beginning to fall; these are dull, sere and brown as we've been deprived of decent rain totals through the summer months. Quite the unusual condition in our neck of the woods.
Other perks I enjoy in Autumn are wearing long-sleeve shirts and sweaters. I much prefer to bundle up against the cold than endure the sweltering heat. Cooler weather also encourages both of us to spend more time outdoors taking walks or enjoying time sitting on the decks, breathing in fresh air for a change, and observing the sun's shifting patchwork of light as it dances through the trees.
These last four months of our calendar year always awaken in me a deep nostalgia for days gone by. So many sentiments and traditions packed into the year's last hurrah - Fall's arrival, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas - all with their own unique scents, flavors and celebrations unrivaled by any other time of the year. Memories often bubble up unbidden as we prepare for each holiday to unfold. Perhaps, these "ber" months should be named the Remember months.
That being said, I don't want to simply be content to lose myself in the memories, but intentionally make new ones going forward, carrying on the priceless traditions that we have treasured for years, leaving a bright legacy and future for our children and grandchildren.
Indeed, there is a season, a time and a purpose for every activity we undertake on God's beautiful earth. May we savor each moment and thank Him for every blessing He sends our way.
Amen!
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When you consider the change in seasons, and how the Earth and other planets and stars move around in harmony, and how the whole universe (as we know it in limitation) works and behaves; you can't help but wonder how did it all happen. How did it start? Some say it was an accidental Big Bang. I think differently.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
And I think as you do, Victor. It's all too purposeful in design to have been an accident. That makes much more sense to me.
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I've always liked that verse. It's a fitting one to think on this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Victor - creation does cry out that there is a Creator!
Amen, Mari, it certainly does! I'm so glad you enjoy this particular verse, too.
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My brother disliked the hot weather. He used to say, "Bill, you can always put on clothes to get warm, but you can't take off enough clothes to get cool." He's right (I hate to admit). LOL But I like the warmer weather and realize my days of riding in a short sleeve jersey and bibs is about over. Soon it will be tights and a long sleeve jersey with full-finger gloves. UGH! But it is good to know that even though the seasons change, God never does.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Bill! Seasons may change, but our faithful and loving Father never changes. We can all be grateful for that good news.
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Nice Martha.
ReplyDeleteWe had a little taste of Fall but now for the next 10 days we'll be in the mid to high 90's. But we do cool off at night and mornings are cool. This is our normal that goes back and forth till summer finally surrenders to Fall. Until then, I'm back inside mid afternoon with the AC on!
And just when I was getting ready to pull out all my cooler weather clothes.
As you said here, Debby, at least you have decent temperatures in the mornings and evenings. The mornings are that way right now for us, and I'm loving every moment of it as you can tell by this post.
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I think fall is my favorite season, despite the leaves that need to be raked...
ReplyDeleteIt's always been my favorite, too, Glynn. I love spring, but just the thought that it will all too soon give way to a hot summer tempers my enthusiasm.
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I love the message of Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time for everything. Thank you for your timely message, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI love that message, too, Diana, and it's a good one for us to remember even when the season isn't one where we'd like to be. Everything happens in God's good time.
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How cool that you have these decks! I would love one. Yes, I like cool weather the best as well. You can always put on more clothes, but when it is hot, there is only so much that you can take off!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Ginny! We can always add layers in the cool temps but can only shed so much in the heat. Honestly, I don't know how people could tolerate summer's heat before air conditioning.
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"May we savor each moment and thank Him for every blessing He sends our way." Amen! Thank you for this reminder, Martha. Love and blessings of strength and peace for each day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trudy, for your sweet words here! May God give you strength and peace each day, too.
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Love this Martha. Savor the moments, every one, for you never know how many seasons you have left on this earth. Fall is my favorite - and I hope and pray for a long one this year. Lord, please, let it be long and pleasant!
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite season, too, Debra, and like you, I pray it's a long one. I'm savoring not just the seasons, but each day as it comes. Many more years lay behind us than stretch before us, so I plan to make the most of every moment God chooses to give me.
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Like you guys, Martha, Diane and I love the changing of the seasons. We really missed that during our years in Alaska, and after a long hot summer, we're ready for a change. For us, September has been the driest on record--0 inches of rain for the month. Lawns around us are dead (except for the neighbors who violate the watering restrictions and irrigate every day) and the ground is like concrete. But thankfully, we might actually get some rain in another week or so.
ReplyDeleteI love your reference to Solomon's reminder that for everything there is a season. Our job is not to complain about the season we're in, but to respond as the God who controls the seasons directs us to do. Even though the seasons are sometimes hard, there is work He wants us to do in it and joy to be found if we look for it.
In any case, thanks for inviting us into your home and your life once again, and for the encouragement and blessing that our visits always leave us with. God bless you both, and may this cool weather energize us all, because as you and Danny know so well, the battle before us isn''t just political.
I think most of us here in the south are in the same boat when it comes to the lack of rainfall, Ron, but since y'all on watering restrictions, yours must be much more severe than ours. It always bothers me when people choose to break rules when they think they can and not have consequences in the end. It reminds me of the fool who thinks God isn't watching when He sees all at all times. And Solomon was right - there is a season for all things and we can choose to embrace it or not. I'm so glad Autumn is here, though, and I can't hide that. We, too, might get some rain this coming Saturday and Sunday. I hope you do, too!
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I love this time of year, too, Martha. And you're so write about remembering the past, living today, and maintaining hope for the future. Thanks for this beautiful truth.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Deb, for your kind and thoughtful words here. Yes, Autumn has always been a favorite of mine and I plan to treasure every moment of every day while enjoying the season.
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I too revel in the cooler days of fall. Our forty years in Florida provided enough sultry, summer weather to last ten lifetimes!
ReplyDeleteOh, Nancy, I'm sure those summers did make for uncomfortable days! I truly don't know how anybody was able to survive those summers in Florida without air conditioning. I will say that my parents from New England braved the heat here without air conditioning; as a child, the heat was much easier to tolerate for me, but I still stand in awe of their stoicism.
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I do dread cold November
ReplyDeleteIt's Canada, Christine, and I understand. Cold takes on an entirely new meaning in Canada, for sure.
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I am loving the temperatures right now - but I don't trust they will stay. But I am enjoying them now. I have not gotten my long sleeves out yet.
ReplyDeleteWhen I graduated from 7th grade - I was chosen to read the Bible Verses for the class and Ecclesiastes 3 was exactly what I read. It was even before the song Turn, turn, turn came out. LOL
How cool is it, Sandie, that your were chosen to read that verse at school? That song still resounds in my heart and soul as it expounds upon the truth of God's immutable word. I'm so very grateful to know you and Rick and to be able to call you both friends. What a gift that is!
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This verse is so perfect! One of my favorite songs.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts about nostalgia sure resonate with what's going on in my head. I don't know if it's because Life seemed so much sweeter then, but you're right. I need to make a deliberate choice to savor the here and now. I think God would be so disappointed if I didn't fully appreciate what He's given.
Oh, Myra, that is one of my all time favorite songs, too, and one that should never go out of style because our loving Father is always present, relevant and understanding of the human condition. The Lord certainly does want us to appreciate all the good things He has bestowed upon us.
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Oh, how I love your thought on the "ber" months being called the Remember Months!! Yes! There is nothing wrong with traditions and the wonderful memories that go with the memories! Our weather switches back to summer tomorrow. The heat and humidity are to return for a few more weeks. I enjoyed your post, as always! Have a happy week!! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri, I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone in recognizing the last four months of the year as ones to celebrate remembrance. As young as our country is, we cannot afford to forget the great and grand sacrifices our ancestors made for the sake of the freedoms and privileges we enjoy. May we never fail to pass those on to our children and grandchildren .
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This is the beginning time of year that families share their special moments with each other. The holidays bring us together and we celebrate that togetherness which is so special. Enjoy the ber months and remember that each day is a gift to us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
May you enjoy these amazing months, too, Bill! They are special, indeed.
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We are still patiently waiting for the cooler weather, but...there certainly is a time for everything and God's timing is always perfect. Your decks look lovely and I can imagine that you and Danny enjoy some great evenings out on the decks...maybe sipping hot cocoa.. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteI know y'all are still suffering with a lot of heat in Texas, Shug, but relief should be coming soon. We certainly do enjoy our decks, especially when the weather is a bit cooler. And you're so right - God's timing is always perfect.
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Martha, we too are experiencing these cooler temps and low humidity. So nice. But I also pray to cherish every moment, even the new memories yet to be made. God bless!
ReplyDeleteAmen to enjoying every moment, Karen. Life is unpredictable as you know all too well, and we should make the most of the time God has given us. Glad you've got some fall weather where you are!
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We are in spring but often it feels like summer and all we can do is deal with it
ReplyDeleteSo true, Jo-Anne. We need to take the seasons as they come, don't we?
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Boa tarde minha querida irmã Martha. O mês de setembro foi o mais, chuvoso em todo estado do Rio de Janeiro. Esse texto de Eclesiastes é muito lindo. O Parque Estadual dos Três Picos é um obra prima, do Criador. Uma excelente tarde de quarta-feira, um excelente mês de outubro para a irmã e todos os seus familiares na Geórgia e um grande abraço do seu irmão em Cristo Jesus Evangelista João Luiz.
ReplyDeleteWow, Luiz, and here we are needing rain so badly! I do think we will be getting some this weekend. And I agree that Tres Picos State Park is one of God's masterpieces. His world is absolutely marvelous to behold.
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And Amen Martha, I always feel once we hit these last 4 moths of the year, you can really feel the acceleration ... we dont really have some of your celebrations here but as much as I look forward to Christmas I am never really ready for Christmas especially as far as Christmas cards go this year as my life has changed dramatically health wise in the last 2 months. It's all God those so He'll bring me through the bumpy stages.
ReplyDeleteSending prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x
I pray that God will see you through your health issues and bring you a joyful, expectant end of the year and a promise of the new year which will unfold, Shaz. Praying for you!
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Even though we don’t have autumn here in Malaysia, I can imagine how refreshing those cooler mornings must feel.
ReplyDeleteI can experience the season through your beautiful writing.
Blessings, Martha!
That is so kind of you to say regarding my writing, Veronica! I do know that you and your family travel quite a lot, so perhaps you've felt similar temperatures and changes in other locales? Yes, there's nothing quite like fall here in the States.
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As someone from Texas.. I feel this in my soul. I am so excited for the lower temps
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Click here if you want to follow me on Bookstagram, booktok, add my snapchat or check out my photography
It's great to "meet" you here, Ash! Yes, sometimes we can feel those weather changes in our bones.
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Martha we must have been on the same wave length regarding our scripture for the week. Sounds like your weather has been out of the ordinary. Ours has been so wet which is very unusual for this time of the year. We are still mowing like it is spring instead of fall. Well have a lovely start to October. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteIt has been, Debbie, but we are hoping for some much needed rain over the weekend. Sounds like yours has been just the opposite! Hope you can enjoy a lovely October, too.
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I like the renaming of some of the months to remember months. The fall air is good at causing us to slow down, change our pace and then our memory bank starts to unload on our minds. Fall is beautiful up in northern Mn., we are at peak colors and they are brilliants. In fact as soon as I finish some blog writing I am going outside to take pictures before the peak leaves us. Blessings Martha.
ReplyDeleteOh, to be at peak colors at the beginning of October, Betty - such a treat! With our lack of summer rain, we're wondering how much actual leaf change color we'll see around here once the truly cooler temperatures kick in. We can only hope! I so glad you enjoyed this post, my friend.
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Boa tarde irmã Martha. Algumas dessas flores, são provavelmente da Mata Atlântica, onde é localizado o Parque Estadual dos Três Picos. Obrigado pela visita e comentário, um excelente mês de outubro, irmã e todos os seus familiares na Geórgia e um grande abraço do seu irmão em Cristo Jesus Evangelista João Luiz.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Luiz. Happy October to you!
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Spring and fall are my times of the year. I'm not a fan of the bitter cold nor sweltering heat. My wife, Jill, is always cold so she loves the heat. We both suffer when the humidity is high. We both love to sit on our garden swing on mild days or front or back porch on mild but rainy days. we give thanks for every day. All are special gifts.
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High humidity isn't a favorite with us, either, Jim. It makes it so difficult to simply breathe! But every day, as you say here, are special gifts from God and ones we're meant to cherish and be grateful for.
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Dear Martha, may the refreshment and fresh breezes of fall bring you warmth and encouragment in your inmost being.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Linda. May this season bring the same to you, too.
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Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteLindo versículo de Eclesiastes. Aproveite o outono com o seu esposo. Gosto muito da primavera. Que Deus abençoe sempre vocês. Beijos, querida.
We certainly do plan to enjoy our fall, Lucinalva. Spring is my second favorite season.
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Everything unfolds in God's time and it is comforting to ponder that. Our loved ones and ourselves are in his loving hands and that brings me a lot of peace with the losses in my closest family. Thanks for being a friend and for your prayers. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteHere is a poem I wrote about my husband as he seems to be nearing his end of life:
DeleteFields of Heaven
by Cloudia Charters
When the time comes,
we will run together
in the fields of heaven.
We will laugh again
and remember
all our stories—
the long days,
the little moments,
the life we made
side by side.
God will hold us
beyond this sorrow.
And we will be together,
forever.
Your poem is beyond moving, Cloudia, reflecting a once in a lifetime love. How blessed you are to share such a bond with your beloved husband. Yes, I'm praying for both of you and I have no doubt that you will one day be together again.
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Bom dia irmã Martha. O Parque Estadual dos três picos é incrível. Espero que esteja tudo bem, com a irmã e seus familiares na Geórgia. Uma excelente manhã de sábado, bom final de semana e um grande abraço do seu irmão carioca e em Jesus Cristo, Evangelista João Luiz.
ReplyDeleteWe are hanging in there, Luiz, and looking forward to watching some American football this afternoon. Blessings!
Deleteevery season has its gifts don't they? I sleep better once the night time temp drop - what a blessing that is. and love opening the windows more to air out the house before winter. I struggle to find joy and gifts from winter but each winter try to find gratitude and beauty there too.
ReplyDeleteEvery season does offer gifts to us, Jean, but you're right - it's up to us to see and embrace them. We haven't yet gotten to the open window stage, but I don't think it will be long. If we have gratitude, we have everything.
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Please send that cooler weather here, smiles. Today it was 102* and we did end up in the pool before the thunder started.
ReplyDeleteUgh!!! If I could send you this cooler weather, Linda, I certainly would. Hope y'all cool down soon!
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Boa tarde irmã Martha. A fauna e flora brasileira são maravilhosas. Já tive oportunidade de encontrar, algumas cobras 🐍 🐍 🐍 🐍. Uma excelente tarde de segunda-feira, para a irmã e todos os seus familiares na Geórgia e um grande abraço do seu irmão em Cristo Jesus, Evangelista João Luiz.
ReplyDeleteNot snakes!!! Those are NOT my favorites, Luiz, I have to admit. However, the other animals you featured were more my type.
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