1 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:13,980 Speaker 1: Life Audio Welcome to the Crosswalk Devotional. We are so 2 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,060 Speaker 1: glad to have you listening with us here today. Today's 3 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 1: topic is finding beauty among the sorrow of fall. We 4 00:00:21,660 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: will return after a brief message from our sponsor. The 5 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: Beauty and Memories of Fall Written by Vivian Bricker Read 6 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:48,279 Speaker 1: by Rochelle Alberti Bible Reading Remember the days of old. 7 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,590 Speaker 1: Consider the generations long past. Ask your father, and he 8 00:00:52,610 --> 00:00:55,530 Speaker 1: will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. 9 00:00:56,030 --> 00:01:01,350 Speaker 1: Deuteronomy 32.7 What comes to mind when you think of fall? 10 00:01:02,130 --> 00:01:06,900 Speaker 1: The beautiful flowers, the cooler weather, or Thanksgiving? Fall holds 11 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:11,330 Speaker 1: cherished memories for many, but perhaps fall also brings up 12 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:14,949 Speaker 1: painful memories for you. Maybe you are reminded of the 13 00:01:15,010 --> 00:01:18,030 Speaker 1: death of a loved one or a painful experience at work, 14 00:01:18,790 --> 00:01:22,550 Speaker 1: home life, or within your family. Even though fall may 15 00:01:22,610 --> 00:01:25,670 Speaker 1: carry a heavy weight with it, we can still stop 16 00:01:25,850 --> 00:01:30,010 Speaker 1: and admire God's beauty. His love is richly poured out 17 00:01:30,110 --> 00:01:32,830 Speaker 1: on us, even if we cannot see it at the time. 18 00:01:34,050 --> 00:01:37,740 Speaker 1: This fall, Slow down and listen for the crunch of 19 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,950 Speaker 1: the leaves below your feet. Stop and watch the leaves fall. 20 00:01:42,790 --> 00:01:46,750 Speaker 1: Take special note of the colors, the vibrant red, yellow, 21 00:01:46,910 --> 00:01:50,850 Speaker 1: and orange leaves surrounding you. These are all blessings from God, 22 00:01:51,570 --> 00:01:55,990 Speaker 1: even if the season may be sorrowful. Allow God to 23 00:01:56,030 --> 00:02:00,070 Speaker 1: heal your wounds with His love. Fall time may continue 24 00:02:00,090 --> 00:02:05,880 Speaker 1: to be painful, however God's love will always prevail. Romans 25 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:11,130 Speaker 1: 8.37-39 He is with you through every dark, gloomy, autumn day, 26 00:02:11,810 --> 00:02:15,230 Speaker 1: as well as every sunny, beautiful day. Through the good 27 00:02:15,290 --> 00:02:20,030 Speaker 1: and the bad, He goes before you. Intersecting Faith and 28 00:02:20,090 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: Life The Bible tells us, Remember the days of old. 29 00:02:24,820 --> 00:02:28,700 Speaker 1: Consider the generations long past. Ask your Father and He 30 00:02:28,740 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 1: will tell you. Your elders and they will explain to you. 31 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:37,070 Speaker 1: Deuteronomy 32.7 The days of old can refer to your 32 00:02:37,130 --> 00:02:40,690 Speaker 1: present life as well. Think about the happy falls, the 33 00:02:40,770 --> 00:02:44,550 Speaker 1: ones full of memories, love, and joy. When the days 34 00:02:44,590 --> 00:02:48,940 Speaker 1: grow dark, reflect upon these brighter days. Perhaps your parents 35 00:02:49,020 --> 00:02:51,020 Speaker 1: used to take you outside to jump at the leaves 36 00:02:51,180 --> 00:02:53,519 Speaker 1: after they fell from the trees, or you would take 37 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 1: a nature walk together. God's fingerprints are across the fall season. 38 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:01,810 Speaker 1: You might just have to slow down, take in the moment, 39 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:06,049 Speaker 1: and reflect upon His grace. If you cannot recall a 40 00:03:06,090 --> 00:03:09,190 Speaker 1: happy memory of fall, ask the Lord to help you 41 00:03:09,230 --> 00:03:13,309 Speaker 1: create a new one this year. You could pray, Dear Jesus, 42 00:03:13,410 --> 00:03:15,810 Speaker 1: in the past, fall has only been full of pain. 43 00:03:16,590 --> 00:03:19,500 Speaker 1: I dread when fall comes around each year because it 44 00:03:19,570 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: is a reminder of everything and everyone I have lost. 45 00:03:23,620 --> 00:03:27,580 Speaker 1: Despite this challenging time, help me to heal and form 46 00:03:27,740 --> 00:03:31,359 Speaker 1: happier memories. Bring loved ones into my life who will 47 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:35,140 Speaker 1: make me smile, laugh, and see the beauty of you again. 48 00:03:35,740 --> 00:03:42,070 Speaker 1: In your brilliant name I pray. Amen. Never underestimate what 49 00:03:42,110 --> 00:03:44,730 Speaker 1: God can do in your life. He can make a 50 00:03:44,750 --> 00:03:48,390 Speaker 1: way when there is no way. Challenge yourself to also 51 00:03:48,430 --> 00:03:51,890 Speaker 1: connect with others in nature this fall season. Go out 52 00:03:51,950 --> 00:03:55,370 Speaker 1: to an apple orchard, take a hike somewhere beautiful, or 53 00:03:55,410 --> 00:03:58,570 Speaker 1: take time to simply sit in your garden. Talk to 54 00:03:58,610 --> 00:04:01,650 Speaker 1: God while you're out in nature and allow His beauty 55 00:04:01,690 --> 00:04:04,900 Speaker 1: to move your soul. His love, grace, and blessings will 56 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 1: be poured abundantly into your heart. What memories do you 57 00:04:09,500 --> 00:04:14,089 Speaker 1: associate with fall time? Are they happy or sorrowful? What 58 00:04:14,170 --> 00:04:18,330 Speaker 1: new memories do you want to form this year? Further reading, 59 00:04:18,330 --> 00:04:24,430 Speaker 1: 1 Kings 19, 11-13 James 1, 17 Zephaniah 3, 17 60 00:04:31,230 --> 00:04:33,730 Speaker 1: If you're looking to grow in prayer or start your 61 00:04:33,770 --> 00:04:35,630 Speaker 1: day with your heart focused on the right things, search 62 00:04:35,670 --> 00:04:37,690 Speaker 1: for Your Daily Prayer in your favorite podcast app and 63 00:04:37,970 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: be sure to follow the show so you get a 64 00:05:01,980 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: new prayer delivered straight to you each morning.