She sat shivering on the park bench. Leaves skittered down the bricked walkway in the autumn wind. Strands of her hair whipped around her face. But she didn’t brush them back…the wind was soothing. Its blustery caress dried her tears, calmed her soul. In the overcast sky above, she saw the thoughts she was faced with. In the swirling wind, the fears and doubts that rocked her. In the damp ground, the tears that threatened to spill over. The world was a mirror of her struggle.

–

But beyond all this, she saw the explosion of fall colors on the trees. The reds, oranges, browns, and rusty hues mixed together in a flaming pallet of hope. Their brilliance spoke of each undying tree. It was as if each mighty oak and maple, aware of the wintery months ahead was proclaiming a glorious farewell. Their beauty now spoke of an undying passion as if to speak out, “Test me and try me, but I will emerge victorious again…just you wait and see. I give up my glory now to proclaim my strength. Wait for me. When spring comes, I promise; I will be there.”

–

And somehow, someway, in autumn’s proclamation, she found hope. “Test me and try me, but, by God’s grace, I will emerge victorious again…just you wait and see. I am humbled and weakened now, but only to proclaim Your strength, Oh Lord. Wait for me, everyone. When spring comes, when this is past, when tomorrow morning comes bright and fair, I promise; I will be there. For I’ve fallen into the arms of the all-powerful, and loving God.”