“I loved Autumn, the season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.” — Lee Maynard (1936-2017), American novelist, short story writer, and journalist, born in the small town of Crum, West Virginia.

There is a certain satisfaction in autumn chores. When the weather cools, cleaning gutters, touching up paint, and tidying up flower beds can feel less like manual labor and more like a rite of the season. The migratory birds seek warmer weather, while humanity welcomes a season to enjoy cozy morning moments, watching the permanent resident birds feed on seeds and nuts and hide under tree bark.

A natural romance stirs when moving outdoors, gazing upon hillsides with grasses waving goodbye and brown leaves fluttering, while savoring angled sunlight on October afternoons. The days are glorious.

Even when it rains, the day shines.

I cannot help but think that the Psalms of praise were all written on an Autumn day. Robert Frost’s reminder, “nothing gold can stay,” echoes in my mind, encouraging me to soak in dawn, the leaf, the day, the cloud’s bloom. Delightful October!

Prayer:

I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord and worthy of much praise, whose grandeur is beyond understanding.

One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works.

They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory, tell of your wonderful deeds.

They speak of the power of your awesome acts and recount your great deeds.

They celebrate your abounding goodness and joyfully sing of your justice.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.

The Lord is good to all, compassionate toward all your works.” — Psalm 145:1-9 ESV