It’s Fall -- My Favorite Season of the Year

It rained incessantly all day here in Frisco on Saturday. That beautiful drenching outside made for a glorious indoor day of wearing comfy clothes, thoroughly giving my home a good top-to-bottom cleaning, and then rewarding myself at the end of the day with a sweet Hallmark movie, popcorn, and a chocolate shake. Aw -- the blessing of a rainy day. And what a way to welcome my favorite season of the year – FALL! I sensed I was being powered by a heart of gratitude. I turned a “routine” house cleaning into a charged-up expression of joy. I became very aware of so many reasons to be thankful.

I was thankful for my home and the fact that I had a home to clean. I was so thankful for the rain that watered my thirsty yard and plants. My grandson in Austin was playing two baseball games and through technology, I was able to watch his game on “Game Changer”. More technology gratitude was sensed as I read so many “praise and thanksgiving” posts from others on social media AND I was able to make my own gratitude post.
I walked out on my patio and saw my plant pots overflowing from the rain. I saw. I could see. I heard the symphony of rain hitting all the various objects: my BBQ pit, the trees, the brick porch, the roof. I heard. I could hear. I breathed in the smell of that heaven-sent rain. I breathed. I COULD breathe without devices to help me breathe. I was moving – bending, reaching, pushing and pulling as I cleaned my home. Psalm 107:1 says "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Fall really is my favorite time of the year. Just around the corner, the leaves will begin turning into their gorgeous colors and soon we'll be able to turn up the thermostat in our homes. We'll start thinking about our families gathering together, and all the other stunning symbols of this multi-colored season. Oh, the genius of our God. And like the spectacular array of beauty in this season with all its variety of colors and uniqueness, so are we. Yes, we are alike in so many ways, but His purpose in making each one of unique is just the way He rolls in all of creation.

The most beautiful part of the Fall season is the attitude of gratitude that comes along with it. I was lavishing in it on Saturday. And that gratitude includes being thankful for the season I am in right now. For each of us, every day is a gift and whether that day includes joy, happiness, peace, and comfort or whether it's stress-filled and challenging -- we know it's a part of this season that God has us in -- and in this season God is working ALL of the seasons for our good. Regardless of what season we are in, let's savor everything that it holds -- because THE ONE who controls the seasons, is THE ONE who will carry us through each one. So, let’s turn up the volume on gratitude. Let's awaken our hearts of gratitude and let’s amp up our bodies, souls, and spirits to the goodness of God, the blessings He’s given us, and our todays and tomorrows that are in His hands. Happy Fall, Y'all!!!

Sometimes ACTIONS Really Do Speak Louder Than Words

St. Francis of Assisi said "Preach the Gospel at all times and sometimes use words." His words describe what I received on Sunday, Mother's Day, from my precious family. Denise and Larry made us the most delicious grilled steak lunch with all the trimmings, then it was Wallace Cleaning and Trim Service in action! Love in action! "Preaching the Gospel" in action, not just words. The team started with power washing my screened-in patio, the exterior patio, front porch and windows. The yard team aka Larry, trimmed all my hedges with the trimmer that my son and family bought me for Mother's Day (purchased with the $$ they gave me). Mother's Day was a family love fest that blessed me so much. I reminded them that they were "caring for the widow", spoken of so often in the Bible. I pray for many rewards to them like God promised.

After four hours of non-stop sprucing up my home and yard, the team finished and my mere pay-back was the chocolate cake I made to celebrate this special day. I appreciate the kind words, the loving cards, the flowers, the well wishes and the ACTIONS that speak so loud. The kindnesses shown to me caused such gratitude in my heart for the goodness of God by the goodness of others. God's love is really known by what we see in action.

My kids knew my love language. I felt so loved and cared for by their "acts of love AND service". It made me think about the importance of stepping up higher to show God's love to others. It may come in the form of cooking a meal, trimming hedges, mowing a lawn, baby-sitting, reading a book to someone, painting a room, washing a car. What if the primary love language in your family or friends is acts of service, and the remedy to fulfill that love need, is "preaching the love message by showing love in addition to speaking love"? It's a blessing to receive words of affirmation and encouragement, but we could sure use "Love IN ACTION" help (or someone we know may need "love in action" help).

Jesus gave a simple but profound illustration of expressing love by an act of service when He washed the feet of His disciples. Maybe it's time to be a "service team" for someone you know who could use the love and support....like I did and like I received on this day.

1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

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