Fall is here

The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”  Genesis 12:1

Early fall makes me think of leaving.  As soon as the leaves begin to turn, melancholy sets in my heart.  With each red, orange, yellow or brown speck that starts appearing on the leaves I am reminded of airports, tearful goodbyes, new horizons and a new life.  Like the leaves, which sometimes fall near their original tree and some other times fly away in the wind to land in unexpected places; I too was detached from my original tree to fly away in the wind and then land on a new and unfamiliar place. 

Like the leaves, which God calls to break away from the trees each autumn, I too was called to break away from my country of birth many falls ago.  Like Abram, God sent me away, to leave behind my father’s household and my people.  Like Abram, God showed me the land where I would go, and it was a great nation, indeed.  He blessed me with a new life in this land of wonders and miracles, a land where I was reborn in Him. 

In this new land, like the garden of the Lord, well watered by rivers and populated by hills, mountains, forests and beauty, the Lord showed His face to me.  It was a hard journey here.  It was very sad to leave.  I still feel the sting of separation in my soul; but He brought me here to reveal Himself to me, and for that I rejoice.  He took me by the hand and said:  “Do not be afraid…I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1

There aren’t any regrets.  He has carved a cleft in the rock for me to find refuge.  I am not afraid.  He is my Strong Tower.  He sees me.  He is my Reward. 

The melancholy that I feel in my heart as I look out the window and see the leaves turned golden in the sun that bathes them dissolves when I remember the reason I am here.  I am here because this is where He wants me to be.  I am here because this is where I have to give fruits for Him.  I am here to serve Him and to know Him more.  For as long as He walks in front of me; I will follow.  After all, as He knows the very move of each leave in the fall He knows me too.