warmth

I’m sorry that as I type this, WordPress has made the titles in caps; it seems like I’m yelling. I don’t like the change. But here we are anyway.

So what was your answer to the title question? As we are officially now into Fall, are you ready to slow down and cozy up? It seems like a natural progression for this time of year. I love it! However, many just don’t know quite what to do with themselves. Why? Because they keep themselves so busy all the time, their minds never shut off and it is hard to relax.

I also look at the Fall leaves drifting to the ground. Last week we have had high wind warnings, and I went out and looked at what survived the wind storm. I have two burning bushes; one on the left and one on the right side of our deck steps. I went out and looked and it was naked…totally exposed! (Don’t look Ethel!!) Me? I was so disappointed. It was just becoming full and deep red and now nothing is on there. It reminded me of how we can live when we know Jesus. When I turn my life over to him, then I have to be willing to strip myself of all that I HAVE known, and let him cleanse me completely NEW. I am vulnerable yes, but only for a moment, and then a great God who loves me, will help me grow again through His guidance and my willingness to follow where He leads me. I remain willing to follow. The best part? I love how He speaks about the pace at which we are told to live. He talks about it quite often in His Word. But we can get to busy to do that too.

Fall speaks to me about about the need to cover myself. I am covered by His presence in my life. I am also covered with warm, cozy clothes during these winter storms and the months ahead. It is my favorite time of year! I love cozy sweaters and sweatshirts, comfy stretchy pants, comfort food, making bread, and warm drinks. It feels right in my world. Oh… and we can’t forget candles. What is your favorite part about Fall leading into Winter? I enjoyed taking the time to pull some chocolate mint off my plant and making some hot mint tea today. I don’t just enjoy sipping on it, but I enjoy the process of making it too. I savor those moments.

We went on a short road trip, which I will share about in the next post, and I was reminded of the color down at our eye level for us to see, but sometimes we need the reminder to look up. Long ago, and wonderful friend and mentor told me to always remember to look up; not when things are good or even really good, but when things are difficult and very hard also. Look up! I can’t count the number of times that I would have missed something glorious had I not remembered that advice and followed it. My header photo shows the majesty of Fall on the mountain! God is a great artist isn’t he? Photography is another way that I slow down and really see what is around me. God often speaks to me in those times, so that, I don’t miss out on what He wants me to see.

I hope you are finding ways to cozy up in your own schedule, home or work place. Don’t miss out on the opportunities for God to do something extraordinary in your life when you slow down enough to enjoy some “cozy” moments in your life? Yours will be different than mine, but I would love to hear about your cozy moments.

This post was just a cozy moment to touch base with you. I have shared some of this before and you can go back and read any of my posts from the main page. I hope you do and you find encouragement there. Let this Fall Season be a time when you let God blow away all those things that cling to you and weigh you down. Let them fall off so you can become totally free from them. Then, run and get into a cozy place, thank God for His love, and enjoy your favorite thing to do when you want to feel loved and a sense of belonging in your cozy place.

Until next time…

~JoAnn