Autumnal Musings

   Each year, I am always intrigued that autumn, the harbinger of the cold, often dreary months soon to follow, is usually everyone's favorite season. In America, nearly every town boasts its own harvest festival with some catchy name that tries to encompass the feeling of autumn just by its sound. For many of you back home, I'm sure the words "Autumn Leaf Festival" or "Apple Fest" quickly sprung to mind. As this time draws near each year, we pull out our cozy sweaters and scarves, take to putting pumpkin spice in all our foods, and bring just as many leaves inside as the trees and ground are decorated with outside! 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." 
~Galatians 6:9

   This Indian Summer, or as Czechs refer to it babí léto (literally translated women's or grandma's summer), holds many different meanings for different people. But in many respects, autumn is both a beginning and an end. For school aged youngsters and families, it is the end of the summer holiday and the start of a new school year. for some it means the end of the most recent season of America's favorite past-time and others the beginning of the next season of the game only played in America. It is the end of the time for sowing and the beginning of the reaping. It is the beginning of preparations for the long year ahead.
   I firmly believe that as we tuck in with our cups of coffee (or tea) to bask in these last few days of warmth, we become reflective and we make just as many resolutions as we do at New Year's. Whether it is to be more organized, or to stay in shape through the winter, or to get more involved in activities, or whatever it is, I think that this time of year--this season of change--tends to bring out our (as in the collective) reflective side.
   So while I haven't written in a very, very long time (check the last entry if you really care to know), I also have been setting some new goals. One is to actually write on this blog so that you can know what is going on in good old Ostrava! Two, to be more intentional with my relationships this year--not an easy task and very quick to go by the wayside if I'm not careful. And three, to develop a greater intimacy with God. 
   This year, I have many of the same students so I am encouraged that I can keep those relationships going. Also, I am continuing to work with YoungLife and a lot of the youth in the city. I am carrying on with the English Klub I helped with last year at a local art school. I pray that this year I will be able to be a better leader in many of the positions I am in and that my Czech language skills would be greatly improved. However, that last part also requires a bit of studying on my part. ;-)

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
                                                    ~James 5:7-8


   I have the best of intentions this year with maintaining this blog, so I ask for your patience, and hopefully, I can keep my autumnal resolution going strong! To you, I recommend that you delight in the brisk, fall air and the beautiful creation that is around you as you also experience this season of change! Happy Fall!