Thinking Love

     Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season" (NKJV).  In verse 11 he added that God has made everything beautiful in its own time.  Each of the Seasons has its own loveliness to me.  November is a spectacular month in the center of Arkansas, but I seem to always forget how much I truly enjoy November from year to year! 
     I love the serenity of the Month of November.  We walk along our country road at the River on weekends, and I sometimes gather fuzzy cattails and sprigs of dogwood to carry home and put in my antique crocks for a seasonal display.  Hearing the wild geese and ducks taking flight, or catching the chittering of squirrels scouring the woodsy undergrowth for nuts gives me delight.  All of these sounds and scenes provide Pure Pleasure to me, and I hear music in my head, sometimes (to my family's dismay) it even causes me to burst out in song!  the lyrics of "Thank You, Lord," "This is my Father's World," and "We Gather Together to ask the Lord's Blessings" keep playing in my mind. 
    When it is warm, the "Indian Summer" (as the elderly folks around here call it) brings to mind the melody of "Be Still, My Soul," which is based on the versin Psalm 46:10.  One translation says to 'cease striving" (NASV).  God seems to be appealing to me and others to SLOW DOWN throught His fantastic shows of Nature.  Did you know that the Israelite people took time every fall to gather fruits and branches for shelters from which to celebrate their own harvest ath the "Feast of the Ingathering?"  This was a command under the Mosaic Law.  The Pilgrims seemed to understand this, and reflected it in their own Feast of Thanksgiving. 
     In our Family, November IS ALL ABOUT the Pilgrims.  We have collected books, DVDs, and Audio books, as well as CD music surrounding this cherished autumn National Holiday.  It is one in which we do not have to travel thousands of miles, there is little commercialism, and December's frenzy is still afar off.  Each morning is greeted with soft music (no words) of hymns that were found in the Pilgrim's diaries, and were often sung by them all those years ago.  At breakfast, we quietly reflect on the sacrifices and challenges that the Pilgrims faced, and overcame.  We read or listen to story CDs about their lives, and then discuss how God was there and is always here for us, too.   This tradition has greatly strengthened my Faith, and I hope that of Mike and Blaine, also. 
     As you celebrate Thanksgiving in your won way, please remember that it is G
od's divine Power hat has granted to us EVERYTHING that pertains to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3).  So let's all Be Still... and Be Thankful!