Hi friends. I love crunchy leaf season. Also, rainy days and p.j.’s, apple orchard time, pumpkin everything, and sweater weather. It’s cozy to be comfy cozy. The season of gratitude approaches, a lovely time of being thankful, praising God, and counting our blessings. This fall, I’ve been thinking about the quote, “Pay attention to what you pay attention to.”
A few Sundays ago, at church we talked about being a blessing to others. It was a “how-to” discussion, which included fine tips on blessing others such as not acting like a jerk, and my favorite, paying attention to see God’s blessings. I like how the author of Hebrews starts chapter 2 by warning believers against neglect, to pay attention to their faith.
Bible journaling friends, have you noticed that journaling has brought your attention right to the heart of scripture? Have you noticed things more? I’ve heard that what you pay attention to grows, which is absolutely true (unless you’re talking about laundry, dishes, or weeds, because those all thrive on neglect). if I’m paying close attention and tending to the weeds, I can focus on growth. I wonder how many blessings I’ve missed because I’ve been focused on other things and I wasn’t paying attention to the right things.
Here in Southern Oregon, we have peach, pear, and apple orchards. I just got an email that this weekend is the final call for picking at my local apple orchard. Soon, the trees will appear to be going to sleep, shedding their leaves and going dormant. But inside, the tree is still working away. Before blooming next spring, the trees need to experience a certain amount of chill hours. The number of hours changes by the fruit, and the variety grown, but they all need a certain number of chill hours for that tree’s hormones. An apple tree in Michigan will need more chill hours than a variety grown in the Bahamas. Even in the winter when it appears nothing is happening, life still flows. Without the chill, no fruit next summer.
Our spiritual lives can go through times of flourishing, and times where we feel dormant. This fall, as we watch the earth settle into bed, let’s pay attention. Let’s tend to our roots, trim off the dead branches, and spend time intentionally connecting with the Lord. Drawing closer, paying attention. Maybe you need some chill hours, to prepare your heart for whatever is next. What does that look like for you? “…we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1
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