Barns of Plenty

 

Proverbs 3:3-4: "Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty."

I love the Fall season.  Percy Shelly quoted: " There is a harmony in Autumn." I agree. There's something about the colors of harvest that are harmonious and soothing. When I experience autumn, I feel like my spirit is being beautifully blended and rounded out from the fullness and busyness of summer and coming into restfulness. There is such satisfaction in knowing you have the barns full and you are prepared for winter.

Barns belong to the fall season. There is just something about the vibrant colors of the harvest overflowing from the barn that is inspirational and calming.

I feel like God paints a special picture with the fall colors this time of year to reward us. Today, I was outside watching the leaves fall and feeling the autumn wind. Yesterday, I crunched across the dry, fallen leaves thinking I should be melancholy about the passing of warm temperatures and I wonder if I will miss the sound of the lawn mower. But I am content with the change. And I ponder: how can the death of spring and summer generate such peace?

I am reflecting on fall colors and their meaning. And somehow the emotions that harvesting colors arouse within me seem very meaningful.

My favorite color is red so I search for it in the changing trees. When I spot them, I am energized and impassioned. I will purposely walk or drive by the red trees just for the awesome feeling they invoke. I'm so glad God created the color red.

A bright yellow squash or falling leaf seems cheerful. This color is a happy color and is like sunshine even when the sun's not shining. It gives me a feeling of optimism. I love the feeling of hope in the yellows.

The oranges give me feelings of warmth on cool days. This color causes me to reflect and think, just as the orange flames of the fire will cause me to curl up and ponder. The color orange is a blend of red and yellow, toning down the energy of both, generating a feeling of balance.

Every now and then the color purple eases through the tinges of autumn. When I see it, I am pleased. The color is so rare because the dye was originally extracted from a scarce family of shellfish. It is a royal hue and beautiful to the eye. I love it when I am surprised by a thrust of purple into the more vibrant colors. Its like a little gift of God.

With all the brightness of these colors, the real beauty of the picture lies in the browns interwoven among them. This is a necessary color to ground the combination. It reminds me of the foundations of the earth where the roots of all this beautiful harvest lies.

Add a blend of greens throughout and you have the perfect balance of tranquillity and beauty. Such healing to the spirit. I believe it is God's reminding splash of grandeur before he phases us into the quietness and solitude of Winter.  Even then, we still have our barns of plenty to fill us in the seasons of no life. When our vision despairs of the whites, blacks and grays, all we have to do is go and open the barn door and gather.

The cycle of life is wondrous! We plant,  we tend; we reap, we are filled. We honor the Lord; our barns are full. Provisions for soul, mind and body all in this continuous cycle of life. Today I feel grateful and blessed.