Burnished red, burnt orange, and gold replaced the former green canopy, and as I watched leaves broke loose from their hold and drifted toward the ground, each one catching the sun and sending it back, giving them a gilded appearance. For once, the Kansas day was calm, so no wind sent the leaves on a wild race; instead they twisted and floated in a delicate dance toward the ground. I only wish the camera could have captured it the way I viewed it.
The massive cottonwood behind our house wears a gorgeous blaze of yellow, competing with the bold glow of the sun. When set behind the deepest green of the pine, the gold seems even more brilliant.
I love the colors of Fall. One of the nicest things about living in the midwest is being able to enjoy the changing seasons. I never tire of watching the greens change to oranges and reds. The colorful leaves cover the ground where kids rake them into piles and enjoy a few flying leaps into the crunchy mound before bagging them for disposal. A tree empty of leaves might seem sad, but there's always the knowledge that Spring will come and new life will bloom and the cycle begins again.
Didn't God do a great job when He planned trees? So many shapes, heights, and colors. They provide homes for birds and small animals, provide us with shade, building materials, fruits and nuts, and oxygen, and--as if their purposes aren't enough--they give us a feast for the eyes. They also give us an example to follow.
I love these opening verses of Psalm 1 (NIV)--
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--
whatever they do prospers."
When we delight in Him, we prosper. We yield fruit that brings glory to Him. And I hope, when He looks at us, He catches reflections of the Son.
Curious...if you could be a tree, which would you choose and why? (I'd be a weeping willow because they look so graceful and their branches seem to want to embrace you.)
May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim
One more pic... A friend took this shot in Michigan,
and I think it's one of the prettiest pictures I've ever seen,
so I wanted to share it with you.
Enjoy!
Wow, that last picture could be a painting on your living room wall. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI agree! The pictures are absolutely beautiful and the last one is my favorite! Erik and I have picked up jogging and love the Greenway because we watch the leaves fall off the trees. Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAs an update, I received an email for the arrangements for Michelle's husband, so he did pass away. I know you ladies will be praying for her, the children, and the family.
Kim! What magnificent photos. They really do show God's wonderful creativity, to perfection, don't they?
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I'm thinking about having the Michigan photo made into a jigsaw puzzle!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, thank you for letting us know about Michelle's husband. Her family will certainly be in our prayers. God bless!
Catherine, thank you for the update... praying for Michelle and her Family
ReplyDeleteRosie
Kim, I am reminded of this poem I recited when I was a wee kid:
ReplyDeleteTREES
by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)
I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
Love that poem (is also a song, my music teacher taught me). I think it goes along with your beautiful pictures posted and your beautiful words of description.
To answer your question, I think I would like to be White Birch tree, because for 1) they are skinny,and 2)beautiful in every season!
Have a lovely Fall day Kim!
Veronica
@ Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and yes I am praying for Michelle and family. I know what it is like for a beloved husband to pass away. It is a journey like no other...but God IS Faithful. Praying...
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with Michelle and her family. This is going to be a difficult road for her and the children, but God is faithful and will sustain them. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Beautiful pictures, Kim!
Looking at the last photo with its mirror images made me think… we are to be reflections of the One who made us.
ReplyDeleteRosie, good to see you, and yes--God's creation is beyond amazing.
ReplyDeleteVeronica, I haven't heard that poem in ages, but I love the imagery. Thank you for sharing it!
And myhmmmcollection (fun name!), yes, our main responsibility as a Christian is to reflect our Maker. :o)
Oh, and VERONICA--your reason for choosing the birch cracked me up!!! They are skinny and look good in all seasons...I LOVE it! Thanks for answering my question. :o)
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I'm praying. That loss has to be so difficult. I can't imagine.
ReplyDeleteKim, you are lucky to live somewhere where trees change colors. I live in Phoenix, AZ, so yeah...trees just kind of lose their leaves one day and become barren. Kind of depressing. But your pictures are beautiful and maybe I'll venture somewhere in the fall sometime where they have changing leaves.
Whatever kind of tree I'd be, I'd definitely want to be "a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season."
Have a blessed day!
Lindsey, you've got the right idea about what kind of tree you'd want to be. I truly hope all of us have that desire to remain rooted and produce fruit. :o) Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteJudy, next fall, when your maple turns burnished red and begins to send its leaves to the ground in a gentle dance, please video-tape it for us. :o)
Love these tree photos, Kim---thanks for sharing. I've always loved trees, but especially in the Fall season (here in Georgia we're having a beautiful Fall!!). I think I'd choose to be a hickory tree, which stands tall and provides shade, nuts for the cute squirrels that entertain me (and my cats LOL), and in the Fall has the most gorgeous yellow leaves---oh my! Almost takes my breath away when I look at those trees--especially when the sun is shining on the branches! ~ Catherine, I'm so very sorry to read this update, but will keep Michelle and the children in my prayers. God will guide them and sustain them in the days to come. ~ Veronica, I haven't read that poem in ages, but LOVE it! Thanks for the stroll down "Memory Lane" (which is a tree-lined street, I'm certain *grin*). Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeletePatti Jo, I wouldn't have thought of a hickory tree. But I can see wanting to make squirrels happy--you're so tender-hearted. :o) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKim, your pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing! We have a cottonwood in our backyard that's looks just like the one in your picture. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteEarlier today I grabbed my camera and went for a walk around our neighborhood, taking pictures along the way. The colors this year are the prettiest I've seen in this part of the country (Mississippi) in years.
I thought you might be interested to know that last year I got my best fall photographs in Kansas. Our son and his family live in Wichita, and we were there in late October for his ordination into the ministry.
I just posted today how grateful I am for the season's transitions! The colors of Autumn seem to be a calming assurance that our God is still in control. Only He could combine these beautiful colors into hues of breathtaking scenes, thus, your incredible photography of this beauty. Thank you for sharing God's outstanding and amazing work!
ReplyDelete