Jesus said, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me." ~ John 7:16
Autumn comes as a chariot of
nature's flame; brilliant greens giving way to vibrant golds and vivid scarlets. A walk in the park became so much more as
Daniella and her grandfather strolled through a peaceful woodland setting, enjoying
a gorgeous day and each other's company.
They’d walked only a short distance when the little girl suddenly paused in wide-eyed wonder. Picking up a handful of leaves, she tossed them in the air and watched them float gracefully back to earth – bold, carefree, joyful. “Grandpa … look at all the pretty leaves. Where did all of those colors come from?”
“Each of us is beautiful at every age, stage, and function of our lives, too,” he continued. “God appreciates variety, so He created each of us to be special, unique, and extraordinary. Like leaves, we come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors.”
After considering this she asked, “Can they ever get back on their tree?”
“Ah,” Grampa sighed.
“You ask very good questions Daniella.
Leaves show us that everything has a purpose. They help to sustain and enhance all life on
earth. Leaves provide shade in the
summer and replenish the atmosphere with oxygen as they absorb carbon dioxide. When leaves fall to the ground in autumn, they
put nutrients in the soil to nourish the trees and help new leaves grow next
season.”
“God created each of us with a unique purpose and a plan for
our lives too, Daniella,” Grampa explained.
“God gives each of us special gifts that make us particularly suited for
the purpose He created us to carry out. Even
after we die, we continue to touch others through our legacy, our
accomplishments, our memories, and through our children.”
Daniella gazed affectionately into her grampa’s eyes. “How did you learn so much about leaves,” she
asked.
“Just by listening to the stories that all the wonderful
things in nature show and tell me each day,” he replied. “Let’s sit down near that little stream over
there and I’ll tell you another story.”
When they were both comfortably seated, the child listened enthusiastically
to every word her grandfather spoke.
Then he began telling the story: “A very long time ago, on a cloudless
night in a distant country, a bright star appeared in the sky. Nearby, a little baby was born in a cold,
lonely place where animals usually sleep.
The baby’s name was Jesus …”
Gracious God, we, the recipients of Your
great love and gospel messages, enlighten the eyes of our heart that we may we
may know the purpose for which You have called us in order to make disciples of
all nations. Amen
