By Rev. Dr. Carla A. Romarate-Knipel
“Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” – Psalm 96:12
It was a joy to be at our Fall Gathering last year at Ferrell Farm and welcome God’s gift of autumn. I am grateful to the Bowe Family for hosting us once more, and to slow down, relax and have fun just getting together and meet the sheep, goats and chickens; take the tractor ride through the woods, when at times we would breaking into song; and for a couple of hours put down our phones and just BE. A couple of our young people took turns riding one of the horses with Evelyn Bowe guiding them around the farm grounds.
Towards the end of our time at the farm, it rained. So we took shelter in the barn, hanging out with the horses and goats. We then, took turns making s’mores over a roaring fire. Holding on to an umbrella on one hand and a stick with marshmallows or a hotdog on the other was a fun challenge! This year, hopefully it won’t rain but if it does, we know from experience that it won’t dampen our spirits.
The changing of the seasons is a good time to assess where we are and where God is leading us. But one may ask, “Who has the time to do that?” With the holidays coming up, we begin to feel the pressure to speed up and get things done. When we do so, there are times that we may feel that it’s like embarking on a mission impossible. The list of things to do keeps on getting longer and longer. Instead of being awed by God’s beauty reflected in nature that is gloriously on display in autumn, we may end up missing it.
So, what do we do? Do we give in to the pressure, or do we surrender to God our to-do-lists, and ask, “Dear God, which of these things are essential and important to your mission of bringing hope and sharing your beauty in this world?” As we prayerfully wait on God to answer us, we can find inspiration from fall as a time of…
“letting go,
preparing for rest and reflection,
and slowing down
as the wind gets colder and the nights are long.”*
We can then embrace a view of Mission Possible thatfrees us to practice what the Danish people call hygge (pronounced “hooga”), “the art of creating warmth, comfort and well-being through connection, treasuring the moment and surrounding yourself with things you love,”** and sharing them with others.
Yes, there is a time and place for sharing Jesus with others through words and deeds of kindness, and prayer. But there are also moments when we can be missionaries of God’s beauty by inviting others to slow down with us, enjoy God’s gift of autumn, and with the fields and trees “be jubilant and sing for joy.” This October whether you are able to join us at Ferrell Farm or not, I pray that you will make time to slow down to experience and share God’s beauty wherever you go.
Have a joyful and blessed Autumn!
Yours in Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Carla
*Paige Leigh Reist, Bella Grace magazine, the cozy issue 2018
**Pia Edberg, Bella Grace magazine, the cozy issue 2018
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