By David Hegg
It’s finally happening. The long, hot summer has succumbed to our hopes for the cool breath of autumn. Of course, we don’t need to get out the parkas, put up storm windows, or winterize our cars. No, those tasks still belong to our northern and midwestern neighbors. But here in SoCal it’s at least the case that we may need a sweater at times, and there are some real leaves to rake, and if you look real closely on the coldest evenings you can almost see your breath. Yes, we are falling into fall, and it feels great.
And it’s about time as far as I’m concerned. Autumn is my favorite time of the year, although truthfully every season has its charm. But fall’s entrance means we don’t have to run the AC, can actually use covers at night, and best of all, the holiday joys are just around the corner. Fall brings back memories of buying school supplies, football games at the local stadium, shorter days, and soup returning to the dinner menu. Fall carries memories, brought to mind by the smells of roasted turkey, wood smoke, and cinnamon-infused cider, all of which stoke our hope that more memories are waiting to be born in the days ahead.
Thank God for the fall. We need it, and the relaxing beauty it brings.
Like me, I’m sure you’ve noticed how tense our world has become in the past few months. I can’t remember when such a steady stream of bad news cascaded into the American home. War, a surging El Niño, fires in our backyard, fatal car crashes, crazy electioneering, and fiery riots around the world come immediately to mind. And I could go on and on, but these are enough to surface the fear and dread we seem destined to live with today. Seldom has the steady drip of local, national and international tragedy been so debilitating to our national psyche.
So, I am glad fall has come. I’m excited about a slower pace of life, even if it’s only a wish-dream. I’m thankful that soon kids will dress up and go from house to house, receiving treats from smiling neighbors. I’m glad the stars’ show every night is still magnificent and free. I’m grateful for the dads and moms who faithfully run their kids to the soccer fields, cheer them on, and reward their efforts with smiles, hugs and orange slices. I’m refreshed by the joyful greetings of the baristas at the coffee shop who know my name and seem genuinely glad to see me, reminding me that in this great big, chaotic world, places where relationship and community prevail still exist. All these simple yet profound gestures of love remind me where life really is to be lived.
So, why am I rambling on about all this? Because I needed to remind myself that life is good, that joy still exists, and that we simply can’t let the violence, tragedy, and uncertainty of this tainted world take up any more space in our heads. For when we do, it cruelly crowds out the things that make life worthwhile.
Sure, evil will still find ways to intrude in our lives, but we can’t let it rule. Every day we have a choice to make. Will we let what we can’t control master us, or will we choose to focus our eyes and lives on the good things around us?
I say fill your lungs with autumn air! Kick your way through some leaves, and hug your spouse and children tightly, just because. Take an hour to sit under the stars, and remember that life isn’t about hiding from danger, but about embracing the days we are allotted with brave intention to rejoice, love, and laugh. I say, “Bring on the fall, and bring on the holidays.” We’re ready to dance, ready to celebrate, and ready to craft memories that will remind us of life’s nobility the next time tragedy attempts to invade. Happy fall to you all, and may your days be filled with love and laughter.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
