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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Nature Tells a Story

During the day, we are still getting up to the 60's and sometimes even the 70's here in Tulsa, even though it dips down into the 30's at night.  The temperatures are a little higher than normal for late October.  As a result, fall has been somewhat late in arriving.  Walking through the neighborhood yesterday, I took some pictures of the changing leaves, which should have already turned brown and fallen to the ground.

One of the things that struck me as I passed by tree after tree, was that some leaves, which were hanging together on a branch, were completely dead, while others right next to them hadn't even begun to lose their color.  How could that be?  I know that the reason leaves change color is because nitrogen and phosphorus are drawn from the leaves through their veins, to be stored in the twigs and branches during winter months.  That stops the production of chlorophyll, so the lush green color fades and the other pigments in the leaves are able to be seen.  This process varies among different species of trees, so they change colors at different times.  But I couldn't understand why the timing would be so different on one tree.  Shouldn't they all change color together on a particular tree?


What if our lives are like this with all of our thoughts and energy being devoted to certain passions and the veins to other areas aren't being fed the vital nutrients they need to survive?  Or maybe, just like our skin sloughs off dead cells that aren't needed anymore, God has built in us a mechanism to slough off dead areas in our lives that we have given up.  I wonder, just like those leaves, if we stop feeding things like gossip or anger or addiction to porn or ignoring our children, will those things dry up and fall away?

God is so good and faithful to use His creation to teach us about life.  I challenge you to take a walk today.  And no matter what is it's like where you live (a warm beach, a snowy mountain, a dreary rain) look for God in His creation.  See if He speaks to you in the leaves, in the ocean, in the snow.  Open your heart to hear from Him, a lesson about your life.  I would love for you to do that and come back here and tell us what you saw and what you heard in your spirit.

God's creation is spectacular no matter what climate you live in and He will speak to your heart through it.  Here are some more of the pictures I took during my walk yesterday!













I'm linking up with Shanda Oakley's site A Pause on the Path, to see what others are saying about beauty.

From His Lap,


26 comments:

  1. Erin what gorgeous pictures!!! It's funny but as I was reading this I thought of the different leaves and how some mature differently than others. Maybe because my daughter is having such a hard time with all her issues it was very comforting to know that different leaves turn different colors at different times, it's all part of the plan. Thanks again dear friend!

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  2. Beautiful Post!! Nature is amazing! Thank you for sharing with us all...

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  3. Kathy,
    I just want to say that you are an awesome mom and you inspire me so much. I love you, sister!
    xoxoxo,
    ~Erin

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  4. Thank you so much, Shauna! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  5. Thanks again for a great nugget, Erin. When I woke up this morning, it was snowing! It was that wet snow, mixed with rain. But within a short time big, fluffy flakes began to fall. It was so beautiful. I thought of how God fed the Israelites with manna in the wilderness. Then I thought I hope this picture comes to mind in April when we are still getting snow. I don't want to be like a grumbling, complaining Israelite, but want to appreciate everything God gives us in His season, no matter how long that season may last. His timing is always perfect!
    Love,
    Susan

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  6. I love how you related what you saw in nature to our lives. Beautiful and though-provoking. I am always soothed and inspired by nature. There is great wisdom in it.

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  7. Susan,
    That sounds perfectly delightful! I love the snow...of course it may have something to do with my hotflashes...! I know you won't be complaining in April, just eagerly awaiting the newness of spring!!
    Love you,
    ~Erin

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  8. Melissa Ann,
    I'm so honored that you would stop by. I'm glad that you enjoyed my post. I think that God designed nature to soothe, inspire and challenge us to be better people!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  9. Erin, I love how you stopped and took the time to hear what God was whispering to you as He's pointing up at that tree. Thank you for sharing His heart with us, my sweet sister! :-)

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  10. I love the pictures, especially of the ones that look like hearts. It's been a rough week at work, but it is nice to be reminded of the beauty all around us.

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  11. Angie,
    Isn't it wonderful how He will speak to us when we take the time to listen. Those moments are the most precious times of life to me!
    Thank you so much for stopping by, sweet sister!
    Hugs & blessings,
    ~Erin

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  12. Diane,
    I'm so sorry that you've had a rough week at work. I hope that you are able to just relax this weekend and let your family and the Lord minister lots of love to you!
    You are a blessing!
    ~Erin

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  13. Erin,
    I have been noticing the beautiful leaves here in Idaho as well. Love how you said if we stop feeding the things in our lives that shouldn't be there will they dry up and fall away? There are things in my life I'm going to try that with.
    Thank you for this post today. Have a blessed weekend...Chelle

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  14. Chelle,
    I love it when you come by and share. I'm so glad you enjoyed my post! Have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  15. Autumn seems to be the season that delights all the senses! You photos capture the beauty of this wonderful season...thanks for sharing!

    We're having about the same temps as you are.

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  16. Miss the turning of the leaves now that we are living in the Soronan Desert of Arizona. Thanks for sharing your Autumn photos, they are just beautiful! Yes, I should be taking walks and bringing along my camera...thanks for the encouragement to do that. I appreciate your stopping by my blog. I am now following your lovely blog and looking forward to stopping by often.

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  17. Becky,
    I bet you are having fun with all your kids during this time. I love to watch kids jump in leaves and carve pumpkins and just enjoy themselves.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  18. Gen,
    I'm so glad you stopped by. I love your blog. I know there are a lot of fascinating things in the desert to take pictures of. Thank you for following my blog!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. Erin, your photos are gorgeous as well as the colors of autumn in your neighborhood. This morning, while driving, I thought so much about fall and winter...the changing leaves and colors that can come and go so quickly. Yesterday, we got a snowstorm! We all couldn't believe it! Snow in October!? In PA! I love it. And it was so crazy, to last night see everything covered in snow...to today, drive and watch as the snow melted away, still revealing all the pretty colors of fall. I was so happy. I didn't want to see the trees bare just yet. I thought a lot about change in general.
    Wishing you a wonderful Sunday! Xoxo
    Maria

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  20. Maria,
    I grew up in Pgh. and my dad still lives close to there. He told me they got snow! I hope you got some great pics of snow on the beautiful colors!!
    Hugs!
    ~Erin

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  21. It's true that God speaks to us through nature. Your photos are awesome! I love autumn.

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  22. Nature is a huge inspiration to me, as well as a balm to calm me and center me. I take a long walk almost every day. A few weeks ago, when I was walking, I decided to climb a tree! At my age :-) I even blogged about (The post is called "Only God Can Make a Tree.")

    Anyway, when I took my walk today, on this gorgeous fall day in California, I decided to climb that tree again. I did, and sat up in it for about 30 min. At first I thought I'd be there about 5 min, but the longer I sat and became one with my surroundings, the more relaxed I became and my mind just sort of empties. I watched one particular squirrel forage for nuts. He stood on a branch and stared at me and me at him for quite a while :-) I felt at one with the world and at peace.

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  23. Erin - this is so beautiful (both your post and the photos.) Autumn is my favorite time of the year and I always feel especially close to the Creator when I'm outdoors.

    What you said about not feeding those things in our lives that are bad or harmful - that really made me stop to think. Great thoughts to ponder.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  24. Saleslady,
    I love autumn. I took some more pictures today because I just can't get enough of the colors! Thank you so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  25. Michael Ann,
    How awesome is that!!! You have inspired me! I'm going to climb a tree and have some time with the Lord there! I wonder what that squirrel thought when he saw you in his tree!
    Thank you so much for sharing!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  26. Joan,
    It seems like God always speaks something to my heart when I'm outside enjoying His creation. I think He uses His creation to teach us many things! Thank you so much for your kind words.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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