The Close of Autumn

The Close of Autumn

Fall 2006

You'll most likely figure this out for yourself after awhile, but fall is by far my favorite season. Pittsburgh is just absolutely stunning--I just love the colors and the cool weather. Therefore, expect to see many more fall pictures over the next few months. :)

The title of this picture comes from a song by one of my favorite bands, Caedmon's Call.

"The Close of Autumn"
When I'm cold and alone all I want is my freedom
And a sudden gust of gravity.
I stop wailing and kicking
Just to let this water cover me, cover me.
Only if I rest my arms, rest my mind
You'll overcome me and swell up around me.
With my fighting so vain, with my vanity so fought
I'm rolling over.

(Chorus)
'Cause in just the same way
That the stream becomes swollen
Swollen with cold up over the ground
When my heart draws close to the close of autumn
Your love, your love abounds

All the time I'm thinking
Wondering how would it be
To breathe in deep.
I guess I need to be careful
When I ask for a drink.
(Just might get what I ask for.)
And I know just what you'd say to me,
That's why I don't ask you.
I'm like a bullheaded boy these days,
Crying my toy's gone...
You're shiny and new.
(repeat chorus)
Guess I'll drop my anger here
Before I float away
And the chains around me
An awful lot of talking
I don't leave you much to say
You didn't ever leave me
And my greatest fear
Was you'd leave me here
A long time back my feet
Could touch the bottom

I personally, as well as this picture, can really relate to this song. So often I have to get to the point of feeling completely overwhelmed, swollen, and tired of fighting before I allow myself to simply be covered in Christ's abounding love. I see myself as the withering plant in the picture. It is surrounded by the evidence of God's love and care, but it continues to wither. At the same time, it can't possibly heal itself. It can only be made new when God sends the sunshine and rain to nourish it. It is the same with us, as Christians. We can only be healed and nourished by the means of grace and the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

I am blessed to attend a school & church that are located on beautiful "rolling hills" of Western Pennsylvania. We have amazing trails through the woods behind our building. I took "The Close of Autumn" on the edge of, what we like to call at RTCS, "The Frolic Place" (pictured in the above two pictures.) This is one of my favorite places ever--especially during the peak of fall. As you can see, the hills and trees and sky are just spectacular. I also find something overwhelmingly peaceful about this place. It's a small bit of God's vast creation pristinely preserved, in the midst of busy Robinson Township, for us to enjoy! I've spent a lot of time in these woods and naturally took a lot of pictures too. So now if I refer to the RTCS woods or The Frolic Place you'll have a better idea of what in the world I'm talking about! :)

p.s. If you attend Providence or RTCS and haven't made the hike through the woods....do it! (And invite me!}