September Things...

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 251: Today, I am grateful for September things. 

Sweet cider, cozy blankets, perfect pumpkins, football, marching bands, crunching leaves, sparkling fires, cool days, fall festivals and warm nights. 

Fall and Spring are my favorites. The wonder of it all. Fall is full of the glory that our Creator wove into full life... before it is spent out to reseed and wait for the winter's sleep. 

How splendid is it all? Too marvelous for words, so we take pictures, preserve leaves and paint paintings.  

Our different life stages are a bit like the seasons. Spring is youth with it's wonder and magic. Summer is that full glory season of love, marriage and family. Autumn is the more mature years. Things change. Our idea of beauty changes, too. It is a different kind of beautiful. Summer and Autumn are long and full seasons. Winter is short. Winter... in winter we wait... reflect... hope... pray... and listen for the Savior to call us home. 

I am reminded of David and Solomon. At one point, David asks God to let him build his temple. (1 Chronicles 22) God says, "No". David had lived a long, full life. He served God in big and small ways, everyday. Yes, he sinned and suffered consequences, but God's grace response to David's confessions restored the relationship. Still, the answer was still, "No". God cited that David had too much blood on his hands as the reason, but promised his son, Solomon would have the honor. David accepted God's decision. 

Look at my verse of the day:

"Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience." -Titus 2:2 

I promise, I did not look before I started this post. Isn't it just perfect??? When He sends just the right verse to compliment a daily gratitude in process, I get the chills.  His Word is living and breathing. 

David's occasional lack of self control was what got him into trouble the times he fell out of step with the Lord. A few bad decisions can change so much. In Titus 2:2 - God is saying, "Make good choices." 

When God refused to let David be the one to build the temple, saying it would be Solomon who would receive that honor... instead of pouting, whining or crying "unfair"... David began to plan, pray and gather supplies that would help Solomon build the temple of the Living God. 

" David said, “All these plans were written with the Lord guiding me. He helped me understand everything in the plans.” David also said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and brave, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or leave you until all the work for the Temple of the Lord is finished." -1 Chronicles 28:19-20

David accepted that it was not his season, but could encourage, help, support and provide what he could for his son, Solomon, who would follow him on the throne. Solomon would bring the plans for the temple to life. 

One of the things I love about David is how he embraced every change in his life. He accepted the challenges and trusted God when the going got rough. He learned from his mistakes made when he tried to "drive the boat" instead of letting God lead. He learned to step aside when it was his time. 

David was a man who trusted God in all seasons. Look at his purpose in the autumn of his life! He still had plenty to give and wisdom to share. He learned to live worthy of respect and exercised self-control. He was filled with love for God and Solomon. His patience grew and his love was evident in his actions. Solomon heard his father's voice and he listened. 

Seasons change. Each one if full. September is special because those in all seasons of life come together re-energized and delighted by the sights, scents and savored celebrations. 

Today, I am grateful for September things.