A couple of days ago, I found a post online which said this: “The trees are about to show how lovely it is to let things go.” Being that it is autumn, this is the time of year we are blessed with nature’s last hurrah of the year with the burst of colors coming from the trees. On mild days, we try to make the best of our time in nature, enjoying the cooling temperatures and amazing hues.
 

And then one-by-one, the trees begin to release the leaves as they evolve from green to a bright color to a crunchy brown. By this time, we’ve probably experienced the first frost, and now winter is creeping alongside us.
 

So often, I lament when the colors have taken their final bow for the year instead of giving thanks for the beauty of letting go.
Autumn is a beautiful metaphor which runs alongside us. Releasing things is crucial for us as humans. If we kept everything we ever acquired, we wouldn’t have room for the lives we have now. For some of us, this is a tough task. We place so much sentimental value on many of the items in our possession. Letting them go seems like a disservice to our parents, grandparents, and others we’ve loved.
 

Other items we keep because “we’ll need this in the future.” I know for me, I’m too afraid of letting go because undoubtedly something I throw away will be an item needed down the road. Or I can make use of whatever thing I’m holding onto - I’m sure of it! To release whatever I’m keeping seems to be an error of some sort, even when keeping a piece of information or an outdated book weighs us down.
 

Maybe releasing something takes an act of faith. Maybe it’s believing that God will fill in the memories through photos we have, a journal, or stories shared with a loved one. It’s trusting that God will give us wisdom and knowledge when we accidentally throw away a piece of paper containing important information.
 

I see how much work you’ve put into your donations for the rummage sale and know that it takes acts of faith to rid yourself of no-longer-needed household items and joyful remnants of a loved one’s closet. Releasing these items has given you more freedom and, possibly, has strengthened the connection between God and you.
 

For those of us who realize that we no longer need our outfits from 1993 which we’ve outgrown in one way or another, I bring us this:” ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust* consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust* consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6).
 

May your autumn be filled with lots of colors, kindness, and moments of deepened faith!
 

Blessings,

Pastor Michelle