A Romantic Fall
By Alison Stoner
We spent the month of September debating whether it was summer or fall, and then October came and went in the blink of an eye, but it’s safe to say we can all officially agree that autumn is here. As I was driving the backroads in my little rural town the other day I was mesmerized by the glow of the golden yellow leaves that canopied over the road and I was just thankful to be in this season. For a brief moment, I felt like I could breathe. Like I could finally settle and rest. I could drop a load.
Summer is full of fun and high energy. The long days allow for endless activity and time in the sun. Summer seems to be the season where the most memories are made - the time of the year that we long for with traditions like 4th of July boating, eating freshly picked blueberries on the beach of Lake Michigan, and backyard BBQs. But, if you’re an introvert like me, all the summer fun gets exhausting by the third month of 10:00 pm bedtimes!
The busyness of summer spilled into a bustling start to fall for us this year. However, the last couple of weeks has brought with it a slowing down of sorts. We’re starting to fall into our rhythm, some of our activities have lessened a bit for the colder months, and this past weekend’s time change has officially marked shorter days and extra time for cozying up.
Personally, I am so glad we live in a state that provides such clear cut seasons of change. Each quarter when the snow falls, it melts, the flowers bloom, or the leaves die off seems to come at just the right moment. These seasons tend to bring with them a refreshing feeling. They bring with them a natural time to pause and reevaluate what needs to shift in our everyday lives. It gives us an opportunity to reflect, pivot, and refuel ourselves based on what our bodies and souls are needing for that given season.
As I’ve started to embrace this fall season my mind has been stuck on this idea of romanticizing my life. If you’ve spent any time on social media you’re probably familiar with this idea of romanticizing things - or simply, fully embracing the beauty in the simplest of everyday activities. When I first saw influencers posting about this idea I thought it was silly - a waste of energy. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized that it’s a beautiful way to show gratitude for what the Lord has blessed you with. The King of Glory has been so good to me, and therefore, I want to be appreciative of all He’s blessed my family with. This season, the Holy Spirit is continuously communing with me around the idea of gratitude and thanksgiving in all circumstances. He’s showing me that I can truly taste and see how good God is. He’s calling me to more intimacy. He’s inviting me to go deeper with Him. And if that isn’t romantic, I don’t know what is.
So, as I’ve thought about various ways I can cozy up with the Lord this fall season, in an act of romanticizing my life out of genuine gratitude for His faithfulness, a few things have come to mind. Let me paint for you a picture of moments throughout my day that I’m hoping will refuel my soul in this fall season…
It’s 8:00am (I’m not an early riser and the Lord has accepted that about me) and I’ve rolled out of bed and put on my cozy white robe. My husband has brewed coffee and has my favorite mug waiting for me on the counter right next to the coffee maker. In my dining room, our gas fireplace is already lit for me, providing both warmth and glow. I light my warm vanilla sugar candle and crack open my Bible…
We’re in the thick of a full day’s worth of lessons and I look around the dining room table scattered with scissors, markers, glue, pencils, books, and more. Worship music plays softly in the background and the kids hum along as they work on ABCs and algebra equations. Another painted paper leaf flutters from the ceiling where it was hung, and we giggle and say, “better go get the rake again!”
School work is done for the day and the kids have run outside to ride their scooters, play tag, or jump in the leaf pile. I steal the moment with a second cup of hot coffee and a few chapters of my novel. I’m wrapped in my cream colored knit blanket and the sunlight is casting rays that dance across the room. In these moments, the dust shimmers like glitter and even that is beautiful.
On the stove in my blue dutch oven simmers a stew. Tender beef, chunks of carrots, cubed potatoes. It all marinates with onions and garlic. The scent fills the house most of the afternoon - making our tummies grumble and filling the home with warmth. Bowls are served up with a slice of warm bread with butter as soon as my husband arrives home from work. The dinner table is filled with chatter about our days that somehow turns into a conversation about life and the future and before we know it we’re discipling our children (again) over a bowl of soup.
The kitchen has been cleaned up, jammies are on, books and toys are in their respective places for the night, ready for more fun tomorrow. We are all piled together on the couch under our oversized forest green plush blanket. Matilda is on the TV for the 100th time because it will always be a family favorite. There’s laughter and cuddles and even some snoring from a hardworking dad who gave his all for yet another day for us. And I just smile and think to myself, “how are all of these beautiful people mine?”
This art of romanticizing isn’t difficult, but it does require you to shift perspective. All of these very things have been a part of my everyday life for many years, but I haven’t always participated in them with a grateful heart.
I challenge you to step into a beautiful fall season. One that doesn’t require anything new of you other than approaching the day with appreciation for the beauty that the Lord has placed right before you. My guess is that when you shift this perspective of your day you will find that your life really is quite simply beautiful.