Autumn. Here in Central Florida, we have pumpkin patches and all stores are featuring apple and pumpkin spice food and candles. I’ve sipped warm cider and have decorated with a scarecrow or two.
Yet, it is not quite the same as fall in New England. A hay ride in shorts is brutal. Dressing in long pants and a flannel shirt in 90% humidity makes me both sweat and itch. Drinking warm cider when it is in the 90’s loses something in the translation. I am grateful for iced cider and for my friends who make pumpkin bread.
Andy and I are both still working from home, he in his office and me at the kitchen table. As we have spent more and more time with just each other, I am very grateful for how I love my husband. Yet, I have found it easy to become self-focused. “What am I doing today? Where can I go?” I recently had a sore throat and was put on lock-down for seven days. Again, my focus was, “How can I survive this? Why did another lockdown happen to me?”
I am grateful that God had already given me to opportunity to be in a Bible Study at our church called, “Get Out of Your Head — A Study in Philippians.” Chapter 2 of Philippians talks about Jesus’ attitude during His time on earth,
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped (He was God but did not act entitled), He instead emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2: 5—7
Jesus didn’t claim His rights, He did what His Father asked of Him, up to and including death. God is bringing people to mind for whom I can pray and for whom I am thankful. Several of my friends have had medical procedures lately and I have had fun going to sit with them in their recovery. Grabbing an iced Starbucks on the way helps brighten spirits as well.
We are so thankful for you, for those of you who pray and give so we can keep working. We are so grateful to still be in good health, and count it no small thing that we can see our grandchildren regularly. If you are struggling with fear or anxiety this fall, know that you are not alone. I would love to pray for you — text or email me your name and I will add you to my morning and evening prayer list — see my number and email address below. It would be an honor to pray for you, and no request is too small, insignificant or foolish. I am grateful that you are in our lives. Thank you!
The Kelloggs 