Autumn Rambles Day 5

An online resource from The Prayer Bench used with permission

Spend time amongst falling leaves or enjoy a walk, through piles of leaves.  If this is not possible, watch this short video of a child playing in the  leaves:

Child playing in leaves video

Reflection
I (Rev. Gail) used to love playing in the leaves both as a child, and as a parent with a little one.  And still, as an 'older' adult I like to feel the crunch of leaves beneath my feet as I walk in the woods. Joyce Rupp captures the metaphor of falling leaves in her poem: 

Why is this dance of death so lovely?
why do leaves seem so willing to go?
are they whispering to each other,
urging one another to be freed?
maybe “you first and then I’ll follow”
or: “you can do it, go ahead”
supporting one another gladly
in their call to final surrender.” – Joyce Rupp

To catch a glimpse of a leaf in its falling is always a gift. Reflect on how this could be a metaphor for what is letting go inside of you? Does this letting go come with blessing or is there angst arising in you? What practice of releasing is taking shape deep within and summoning your attention?
Perhaps there is rightness of the rhythm of the falling leaves. The seasons turn and we turn inward yielding to the call of the leaves.
A practice
Take time to slowly read this scripture from the ancient Hebrew book of Sirach.  Leaves can teach us about the cycle of life.  As you read, remember that all life is sacred: it is sacred in its being born, in it's dying, and in it's living.

Like clothes, every body will wear out,
the age-old law is, “Everyone must die.”
Like foliage growing on a bushy tree,
some leaves falling, others growing,
so are the generations of flesh and blood:
one dies, another is born.

 Sirach 14: 18-20

---