IT’S NOVEMBER!

November not only brings with it cooler days, warm cups of apple cider, leaves falling and pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING, but also a sense of Gratitude.

That certain feeling of “Thankfulness” that takes over after harder, more difficult days. That feeling of renewal and starting over.

During the month of October, the colors begin to change. We see green leaves left from Spring and Summer, turn to magnificent hues of orange, red and yellow. We drive for miles just to get a glimpse. Our eyes wander above us, and from left to right. The displays are magnificent! God’s Fall color palate right before our very eyes! It’s hard to take our eyes off of their brilliance!

Living in Sonoma County for two years now has brought a greater sense of Fall colors to my life. I realized the grape vines that surround, run through, and make up the majority of this county were beautiful in linage and verdancy. But the last two years have shown me the true color changes of fall in each and every vineyard. It’s hard to keep your eyes on the road as you travel by them, even on a daily basis. In fact, just the other day while returning from a hike at the coast, Jim nearly ran us off the road! As we barely escaped landing in the ditch, he exclaimed, “Wow, these colors are spectacular!”

“Yes, Honey, I agree, but I would love to live another day to see them again!”

In the almost ‘blink of an eye’, the colors seem to disappear and leave in their place a bare almost lifeless look. The golden leaves have fallen to the ground and in their place remains a barren vine or branch. From the onset, it appears to be dead or dying, but we know that it is the process of dormancy.

Dormancy  is the condition of being at rest or inactive to suspend metabolic processes in order for growth and development to be suspended for a short amount of time.

Why would plants do this?  In order for them to survive adverse conditions. Dormancy actually pauses growth and development during difficult seasons like WINTER, so that the plant survives and then thrives when the harsh conditions are past.

If God created plants to bloom and display gorgeous colors pleasing to the eye, then has them lie dormant through the rough season of winter, only to thrive in the Spring with color and fruit, would He not also desire the same for us?

I believe the answer is YES! God allows us a season of “dormancy” spiritually, to cause our bodies to rest, refocus and recharge.

TRUTH BOMB

Dormancy with thankfulness allows us to renew, recharge, and refresh!

November brings with it the close to long sun-filled days, and replaces them with colder, shorter days, pushing us inside where it’s warm, cozy, quiet and still from the outside distractions.

The Cambridge English Dictionary gives ‘dormancy’ this definition: “Not active or growing but able to become active later.”

I love that God can speak clearly to us through His creation of nature, if we slow down and listen.

This theme of ‘dormancy’ goes against most of our natures. I know it goes against mine!

I’m a doer, a go-getter, I like to have a plan, work the plan, and complete the plan! But if my God is calling me to a time of rest, and recharge, then I need to listen!

I know from experience, that I will drive past those same barren trees in the Spring, and they will have green leaves and be blooming in all their glory.

That is the kind of life I desire. One that thrives and does not wither after a season of harshness. One that is green with growth even if that growth is produced through endurance and difficulty. And I definitely want a life that produces fruit for God and His kingdom. If ‘dormancy’ is required, than that is what I am committed to do.

Yes, November is a gift from God to us, causing us to slow down and look up! To pause and display our gratitude for all God has done, is doing and will do in our lives. It is a time to be thankful and a time to act on our thankfulness. To tell God we are thankful and what we are thankful for, and to tell those we are thankful for, that we are thankful for them.

This year I am adding an extra step to my season of THANKFULNESS. During the month of November, I am not only thanking God for someone or something each and every day, I am also telling that person or persons that I am thankful for them.

This spirit of THANKFULNESS not only reminds us of all the good we have, but also renews our spirits as we focus on that good!

I am writing in my devotional journal each day of November these words…

On this 1st day of November I am thankful for…

Then, I am following up by texting that person or persons, or emailing them.

Today, on the 6th day of November I am thankful for YOU! I am thankful that you read my blog. I am thankful that you encourage and support me. I am thankful for the time we share together each Tuesday. I am thankful that you allow me to be in your life in this small way!

I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU!!!

My heart is already feeling lighter and my spirit happy as I practice this all important verse:

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.”  Psalm 100:4

As you practice a season of “dormancy”, remember, you are not dying and you are not dead. No matter what you are going through, no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible, God is allowing you to be dormant to survive. To give Him thanks for all of the good in your life, and to come out of your dormancy and thrive.

Speak Truth Love