What does God have planned for me?

Whatever happened to fall? Did I just miss it this year? Seems to me that I remember lovely warm, sunny days during September and October when the tree leaves and shrubs all turned into scarlet and orange-toned spots of splashy colors, when the air had a different scent to it, seeming to almost broadcast a wonderful smell of the lovely fall that was coming our way. We even went to New England one fall to witness God’s extraordinary painting of other colors that only he can make happen. The only trouble was that while we were there, the sun took a vacation and the days were cloudy. I’m sure that at the same time in Southeast Missouri, nature gave out its usual pageant of colors that defied description. I have always felt Missouri could hold its own among all the states that have the ability to bring out God’s garden in the fall.

I don’t know enough names for all the different shades of colors we could write about if we could really put our wits to good use. I regret that I did not have the ability to become a painter, for their feeling of satisfaction upon completion of one of their works of art must be extraordinary.

So I must be satisfied with the abilities God did give me. ... For many years it seemed to me that people who excelled at the work they performed did not often receive plaudits for any of it. After speaking to some people who are blessed with one of the abilities God gave them, I find they usually are the ones who acknowledge that everything comes from God. Even atheists often admit there is a power they cannot give a name to.

... But to get back to fall, I believe we are fortunate to see the climate changes our particular place of residence gives to us. So I will try not to complain about the weather, because it is said, “Don’t complain; you can’t do anything about it.”

I was born during the Great Depression, and all people of that era were marked by that time. My father would not permit complaints in our house. If we dared to complain, we were told, in no uncertain words, what we should do about it. The conversation would go something like this:

Pop: What’s the matter with you?

One of us: We did not like this, that or the other thing.

Pop: If you can do something about it, do it. If you can’t do anything about it, then shut up.

And most of the time, we shut up.

We found out that, most of the time, Pop was right. We learned to accept many things we did not like, and I am sure there were many others who also learned this.

So while I wait for fall to arrive, and accept whatever the weather brings, I will look forward to whatever it is that God has planned for me. A farmer told me that, according to the woolly worm, we could expect a hard winter with lots of snow. So be it, if God so wants it to be.

Just a little add-on: It soon will be Christmas, and probably before we are ready for it, if what I hear from friends and acquaintances is so. Let us concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas: the coming of Christ. We are all so needy of the things that are most important. Help us follow the lessons he left for us.