I sat on the park bench watching. Watching my husband chase our three year old up and down the ramps and slides. Watching our one year old climb up and down the slide. Watching older kids run past shouting and laughing. Watching the overcast sky fade from pale grey to dark gray.
The breeze was light, but just cool enough to feel that first hint of fall.
I looked around, feeling that warm-but-not-hot air and the ever-so-slightly-cool breeze winding around me. I had forgotten.
In the long, hot months of Florida summer, I had forgotten that another season would come. And I had forgotten how wonderful it is when it does.
I sat there silently marveling. Marveling that somehow I could forget that summer would be over and the heat would fade and we could go outside in the evening into the most perfect weather. Marveling that I could somehow forget that the heaviness of summer heat and humidity would be replaced by the lightness of a cool sunny day. Marveling that we are there already, at that point in the year where we can feel the season changing.
Heat to cool. Heavy to light. Summer to fall.
And I had forgotten.
But here we are. The first hints of the joy to come already showing up around me.
And I as I sat breathing in the cool, light air around me, I felt a whisper in my heart that I’ve come to learn as His voice.
”Don’t forget what’s coming.”
Don’t forget what’s coming.
This season of life has been so long. It’s felt like the summer, hot and smothering and heavy, and to be honest, I’ve found myself forgetting. Forgetting that the season will change. Forgetting that although God allows us to walk through the valley, He will also lead us beside still waters. He will also restore our souls.
"Don’t forget what’s coming,” He whispered.
And to be honest, I can barely remember what a season of freedom in certain areas of life feels like, because this season has been long. So very long.
But I know Whom I believe. Whether I remember what a change in season feels like or not, I will trust what He says.
This year, as our environmental season shifts around me, I have a whole new reason for hope. Hope that this season of the soul is shifting too.
I sat on the park bench watching. Watching my husband chase our three year old up and down the ramps and slides. Watching our one year old climb up and down the slide. Watching older kids run past shouting and laughing. Watching the overcast sky fade from pale grey to dark gray.
The breeze was light, but just cool enough to feel that first hint of fall.
I looked around, feeling that warm-but-not-hot air and the ever-so-slightly-cool breeze winding around me. I had forgotten.
In the long, hot months of Florida summer, I had forgotten that another season would come. And I had forgotten how wonderful it is when it does.
I sat there silently marveling. Marveling that somehow I could forget that summer would be over and the heat would fade and we could go outside in the evening into the most perfect weather. Marveling that I could somehow forget that the heaviness of summer heat and humidity would be replaced by the lightness of a cool sunny day. Marveling that we are there already, at that point in the year where we can feel the season changing.
Heat to cool. Heavy to light. Summer to fall.
And I had forgotten.
But here we are. The first hints of the joy to come already showing up around me.
And I as I sat breathing in the cool, light air around me, I felt a whisper in my heart that I’ve come to learn as His voice.
”Don’t forget what’s coming.”
Don’t forget what’s coming.
This season of life has been so long. It’s felt like the summer, hot and smothering and heavy, and to be honest, I’ve found myself forgetting. Forgetting that the season will change. Forgetting that although God allows us to walk through the valley, He will also lead us beside still waters. He will also restore our souls.
"Don’t forget what’s coming,” He whispered.
And to be honest, I can barely remember what a season of freedom in certain areas of life feels like, because this season has been long. So very long.
But I know Whom I believe. Whether I remember what a change in season feels like or not, I will trust what He says.
This year, as our environmental season shifts around me, I have a whole new reason for hope. Hope that this season of the soul is shifting too.
A cold morning that makes you dread poking even a toe out from under the coversA kitchen that’s busy and full of food being made Pumpkin pie with a slightly overcooked crust An extra dash of pepper in the green bean casserole
The table arranged long a pretty on the covered porch Sunshine warming the cold of fall Friends that are almost like family to share the holiday with A kitchen that keeps filling with food and faces
A giant, golden turkey Favorite teams and epic catches from the football game on tv Baked brie Food
My husband next to me at the table Kids interrupting the prayer to add their own thanks Food swallowed faster than I thought possible Three kinds of dessert on my plate
Long conversations and happy laughs Sore feet in pretty high-heeled boots Curled hair that flattened in less than 20 minutes People to love and serve with
Technology that connects families across the miles Charlie Brown theme song played on the piano A cold diet pepsi Late night shopping and talking and walking and talking some more
And this couldn’t name the half of all I have to give thanks for from yesterday. He is good.
Healthy Apple Pie? Well…if you don’t count all the butter I put into the crust… Haha!
Remember this sugar fast I’m doing? Well, I can still have fruit and honey, and I’ve hit this point where I am ready to embrace the challenge but not give up on my sweet tooth. So I figured, honey is sweet, why not make sweets with honey as my sweetener instead of sugar? These were fabulous hot out of the oven! They would be even better with whipped cream or ice cream! But hey, I’m not complaining! =)
APPLE PIE FILLING:
Ingredients:
2 Diced Apples (small cubes)
1/4 to 1/3 Cup Honey
1/2 – 1 tsp Vanilla
Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Cloves to taste
A Pinch of Pumpkin Pie Spice
Instructions:
Combine and stir well. Let the mixture sit while you make the crust so that the flavors combine.
CRUST
Ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cube of Butter
1/2 Cube of Margarine
1 Cup of Ice Water
Instructions:
Sift flour and salt together. Cut in the butter and margarine. Pour in the ice water until the dough sticks together. Chill for an hour.
THEN…
FINALLY…
{Note: Edges should be turning brown very slightly}
I baked the first batch in my regular oven on a pizza stone and the second batch (pictured above) in my toaster oven. I think the toaster oven dried them out a bit, so I would definitely recommend doing it in the oven.
Enjoy!
Be blessed.
<3
Subscribe To The Blog
Subscribe To The Blog And Get My “Perspective Reset Devotional" For FREE
Congratulations! You Are Subscribed To The Blog And Your Devotional Is Being Sent Right Now.
