The Aspens are yellow. Morning bike rides are beginning to require gloves. Friends are starting to discuss snow tires. Trails are covered with leaves. The highest mountains around have been dusted with snow. I’ve heard people talking about going on a couple last hikes or mountain bike rides. The Christmas lights around the Chapel seem to want to be turned on more and more.

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What is going on? It’s Fall. I don’t want to speak for everyone, but I am shocked as to how quickly the seasons change here. Wasn’t it summer yesterday? Why is there frost on the ground in the mornings? All of the changes all around me have been causing me to stop, look around, and think.

Leaves changing in the fall has always fascinated me. Everything smells different… looks different… even the air seems to feel different. Everyone seems to have their eyes glued on the beautiful bands of golden trees that act as huge signposts for the changing of the seasons. Just this past week Jayla and I have passed several people in their cars fully stopped in the middle of the road taking pictures of Aspen trees. I call this awestruck. We are captivated by the beauty around us.

I’m thankful that God thought it would be a good idea for leaves to change colors. There are a few Aspens at the Chapel that are close by to a group of evergreens. As I’ve been watching some of our trees change and drop their leaves and other trees remain the same it has occurred to me that all trees could have been evergreens. There seems to be a piece of God’s character that enjoys seeing His creation grow, change and transition.

This is a good reminder for me because I know I’m not always excited about changes and transitions in my life. Sometimes changes can be daunting. I can be the Aspen tree that is saying, “Hold up, are you guys sure we need to drop all of our leaves— what if we were to keep a couple around just in case next year isn’t a good year for leaf production.” I think we could all use more faith when everything around us is changing (both good and bad) in order to remember that God is present with us.

One of the first passages in scripture I really leaned on in my life is Philippians 4:6-7. Here, the Apostle Paul is concluding his letter to the Philippians some encouragement. He says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This verse helps me remember that even when all the trees are yellow and everything seems to be in transition God is an unchanging, constant and peaceful presence in my life.