Fall is Almost Here!

Fall is Just Around the Corner
Yesterday, the cooler temperatures made for a brisk, refreshing morning walk. I had my peppy, jubilant face on and I’d exclaim to other walkers “Good morning! Isn’t this a gorgeous morning?” I sensed I was being powered by a heart of gratitude. I turned a “routine” walk into a charged-up expression of joy. I became very aware of so many reasons to be thankful.

I noticed a beautiful, stately cat sitting in a position of “king on the mountain”, observing everything like a watchman over his domain. Immediately that made me think about My Heavenly Father Who keeps a watch over me….and you. Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.” I breathed in that morning, crisp air. The fact is….I COULD breathe without devices to help me breathe. I was walking – that was a huge blessing, because since I broke two toes, it hurt too much to wear closed shoes. The day before yesterday, I was having an irritated, scratchy throat. Yesterday morning, the sore throat was gone. I heard dogs barking (they like to be ferocious watch dogs inside those protected fences, but I’m sure they’re all bark and no bite). The fact was, I COULD hear them barking. I saw gorgeous scenes – sunflowers galore, and a single yellow rose growing on a rose bush. I always like to think that’s my sweetheart reminding me of our forever love (yellow roses were our favorite). Most importantly, I COULD see. Psalm 107:1 says "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Fall/Autumn really is my favorite time of the year. I sense, 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 beautiful symbols of this upcoming season.

The most beautiful part of this upcoming Fall season is that attitude of gratitude that comes along with it. I was lavishing in it yesterday. And that gratitude should include thanking God for the season He has us in – right now.

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 season 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. Wake up that heart 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, Ya’ll!!!

Not on My Watch

My precious grandmother had 10 children. I remember her prayer “God, there’s not one of my children that are too bad for Satan to have. They will all come to know you in personal way before I ever leave this earth.” Maybe that’s what took her so long to “go home”, because when she passed away at 99-1/2 years old, every one of her children had a precious relationship with God. In today’s terminology, she might have said, “Satan, NOT ON MY WATCH will you get your hands on my children!”

Someone was asking me to pray for their wayward child and I told her the story of my grandmother. I told her to stand in the gap for her child and declare “Not on my watch” to the enemy.

When the tornado was close to my home last week, and I had my granddaughter and her friend with me at my home, I thought “Not on my watch, will I put these girls in danger!” I took them across the street to a neighbor’s storm shelter. I feel that way with those that I hold near and dear to my heart. “Not on my watch – will I stop praying for them.”

What if we had that attitude about our communities, our states and our country? NOT ON MY WATCH – will the enemy continue to invade our lives. It’s time for us to arise from our slumber and complacency and take a stand for what is right in our homes and our country. God placed us here on this earth at this time for a specific purpose – to be watch-men and watch-women. God is speaking to each of us to RISE AND SHINE.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Paul wasn’t telling us to be passive spectators—of entertainment or anything else. He meant something far different. He meant for us to stand up and be accounted for. He meant for us to say “Not on my watch will the enemy win.”

If ever there was a time for us to resist wasting our lives away, the time is now. To waste time is to waste life. A Watchman is one who has sympathy, empathy and compassion for our fellow countrymen and for all humanity -- so much so that he or she fullfills our God-ordained responsibility to watch and pray.

The best watch-men and watch-women that we can be is a LIGHT SHINER. We must be “the light of the world” by being a godly example for others to follow (Matthew 5:14). We must go into all the world and spread the “good news” of God’s love and mercy. In such a chaotic time in our world, God is calling us with a higher calling. NOT ON MY WATCH -- will the enemy win, because if GOD BE FOR US, who can be against us!