I look forward to autumn, when the summer season has officially closed. And each fall, I honestly can say, I find more reasons for falling in love with fall.
As a child I loved the fall crafts such as gathering maple leaves to iron between wax paper, and as an adult I love to browse the newest fall fashion home decor displayed in department stores. Lately, in the darker hours of early morning, I’m drawn to God’s goodness, seeking out fall scriptures to reflect on.
(You’ll see my 5 bible verses for fall to reflect on at the end of this post.)
This September, I found another reason for falling in love with fall – the annual Harvest Festival at a heritage site close to my home. From watching a threshing demonstration to enjoying an authentic Ukrainian meal, and hearing about the humble conditions these first settlers farmed, I learned the importance of a harvest festival that celebrates a bounty of food after a hard-working season of sowing.
We saw thriving cornstalks, beet leaves, and poppy fields. However, among all the bounty, we also saw green pumpkins harvested early, likely due to a disease that pumpkins are vulnerable to, especially when planted in the same spot year after year.
Sometimes even among the plentiful, something does not thrive. Sometimes things are not working out like we want, making it harder to be grateful for the many things that are working out in our lives.
Negativity can creep in, and we no longer see the blessings in the season we are in.
For example, a failed crop, a loss of a dream, or an unexpected misfortune can switch our attitude from gratitude to grumbling.
The negative experience, often from something we cannot control, can influence our attitude, and steal our joy of the season.
The good news is we can overcome our negativity by shifting our attitude.
A grateful attitude is the remedy to overcome any negativity that creeps in.
When we intentionally look for the bounty of blessings around us, we shift our focus to gratitude.
3 Questions to help you with falling in love with fall (or any season you are in).
1. What are things in nature you can enjoy only in this season?
Each season has its own nuances and traditions. In most places, the fall season opens up activities that we can experience when the air becomes cooler, and the skies darken earlier. Only in fall does chlorophyll production slow so leaves can show their true colours to eventually beautify the sidewalks and trails we walk. The sun set earlier, allowing us to star gaze in the early evening hours.
2. What festivals and special celebrations can you enjoy only in this season?
Fall has an abundant of celebrations and activities that include harvest festivals, pumpkin growing contests, and, of course, Thanksgiving. What special activities does your community offer in the fall season? Make a plan with loved ones, and start a new fall tradition you can look forward to every year.
3. What do you love about fall or any other season? What are your reasons for falling in love with fall or any other season?
Make a list of things you love about fall and then create a list for each season. Having a list of what we love, and what we are grateful for in each season helps us through those moments when our mind begins to focus on the negative.
It’s not always easy to acknowledge the good things in our lives, so having a list to reference helps us to re-focus on gratitude.
Seasonal gratitude is important for our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Gratitude overall is good for our well-being and can bring positive long-term change beyond the season we are in.
5 Bible Verses for Fall To Reflect On
Our bibles provide a bountiful supply of scriptures for fall to reflect on. Filling with God’s word is another way to switch our attitude to gratitude whenever we find our thoughts focusing on something gone wrong. Through His words, we gather the good harvest only He can provide that fulfills all our needs.
5 Bible Verses for fall to reflect on:
Psalm 85:12: “The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.”
Joel 2:23: “Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”
2 Corinthians 9:10-11: “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
James 5:7-8: “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.”
1 Timothy 4:4-5: “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
GRATEFUL download.
Do you need a reminder to help you stay grateful this season? I created a banner that helps me. Download, print on white or coloured paper, cut out the letters and leaves, and string to hang. Or you might want to print on sticker paper; or glue on toothpicks to make a cake topper! It’s also an easy activity to do with young children, too.
I love this, Lynn! The photos, the questions, the ideas, the verses. Thank you! My husband loves watching those old ways of harvesting. 🙂 This is such a great tip: “Having a list of what we love, and what we are grateful for in each season helps us through those moments when our mind begins to focus on the negative.” Love and blessings to you!
Hi Trudy. I think your husband and mine would get along! My husband likes to take drives “around the neighbourhood” to see what’s happening with the harvest. When I don’t write my daily gratitudes, my negativity creeps in. Love and blessings back to you!!
All the pumpkin photos are gorgeous! In keeping with this time of year. Yes, I love how the colourful leaves carpet our paths and sidewalks too, and I’m especially grateful for the freshness in the air and the ability to breathe it in. Beautiful post. Thanks, Lynn.
Thank you, Joy! It’s been fun to see the pumpkins grow over the summer. They are all harvested now, but we are enjoying their colourful presence in our home and on our porch. 🙂 Soon our outside air will grow colder as winter comes upon us, yet may we still inhale the freshness of God no matter the season.
Love your photographs! 🙂 I love something about each season. Yes, I complain about the hot temps in SC, but I love the sunshine that makes the flowers bloom. I’m thankful God gives us wonderful creations to enjoy. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Hi Melissa! Gosh, I complain about the heat in our summers, too. And then the cold in our winters. haha! I’ve now decided to fast from complaining! There is always something to be grateful for in every season. Yes, His creations are wonderful.
I love this post. It’s timely because I’ve been thinking about seasons a lot lately. I’m in a season of transition into something new, and it’s scary, but I’ve been thinking about remembering the fun and good. This applies to so many things. Lovely reminders today, Lynn.
Hi Ashley, Transitions can be scary. May God’s peace and goodness fill you so your fears are silenced as you enter into this “something new” that He has lead you to. All the best, and I’m cheering you on!
Lynn, your three questions are so good! When we take time to find gratitude in the unique seasons we’re in, our hearts and minds can be lifted out of negativity. I loved your photos, too, friend.
Thank you, Jeanne. It’s been fun to take photos of our colourful pumpkins and, of course, all the colourful foliage of fall make wonderful backdrops. Have a wonderful week, and may you also have your camera in hand as I think finding places to photograph is a happy place for you, too.
praise God He helps us shift our attitudes especially when we don’t have the energy to do so or could care less. only by His grace do we get to align ourselves with His will for us in these changing seasons. i’m so grateful.
Amen, Linda. Only be His grace do we align ourselves. Oh, and how often I get out of alignment! And, boy, do I feel so much more peaceful no matter what season I am in when I spend time in His word. Thank you for your wise words here!
Lynn I love your questions for staying focused on the present season with gratitude. I have no trouble with autumn, as it’s my favorite season, and like you, love so many seasonal crafts. But for sure come winter, I will need both your questions and your verses!!
Hi Donna, Intentional daily questions and staying in God’s word is so needed to help us keep a grateful and praising mindset, I think! It takes word, however so worth it…Have a wonderful week seeing God’s blessings!
Fall used to have such a sad tone to it as I lost my parents during that time. Now I am much more hopeful and appreciate the season.
I’m sorry you lost your parents during the fall, Diane. It’s natural to link seasons to events. But glad to hear you’re more hopeful and appreciate the season. I haven’t been to where you live, so I’m not sure what fall is like for you! Does it snow where you are in the winter?