An Autumn Analogy
It's fall! This season is a feast for the senses. Vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows capture our attention wherever we glance. The warm, savory flavors of pumpkin and squash adorn our tables. The sound of crunching leaves accompanies each step we take in our booted feet. And, crisp breezes rosy our cheeks and tousle our hair. Autumn is a season full of beauty. The autumn season also provides changing leaves, a beautiful analogy for motherhood.
In the spring little green buds burst out of tree branches. Popping out everywhere, their presence creates a stir and excitement. Many of us rush to be outdoors in the warmer air and to soak up the new life growing all around. During the summer, the hot sun and rains transform our entire world to green. Lush and hearty, the leaves all look very similar as they grow and soak in the life giving nutrients from the trunk of the tree. Growing is easy for the leaves during the summer months. But in fall, the growing environment changes. The sun is less intense, the days are shorter, and the temperature is colder. This "stress" causes the leaves to start to change. Depending on the type of leaf, and what is inside, unique colors begin to appear. This now mature leaf becomes a vibrant, spectacular display for all of the world to see.
Doesn't this process replicate our journey as mothers? We are so excited about our new little babies. Their presence creates excitement and joy as we watch their little lives start to unfold before us. We love the anticipation of watching them grow, change, and become stronger and bigger. Then, for so many years as mothers we pour all that we can into their lives. We give them our love, our resources, our time, our wisdom, our best efforts, and our hearts. And like those leaves that gain nourishment from the trunk of the tree, our children grow. They sprout up and they become hearty and stronger. But yet we don't always see everything that we have poured into their lives and their minds. In many ways, they look so similar to other children around them. But then, they become older. We can no longer control their entire environment. Life can be cold at times and provide them with new challenges and stresses. But during those times, as mothers, we begin to see it. Our child that had looked so similar to all the others before, will begin to reveal just what he/she had been soaking up during all that time of growing. The inner qualities that were present and being developed all along, will then be displayed for the world to see. There is beauty. There is a unique beauty as you get to watch your child take all that you have poured into them over the years, (as well as the combination of their own unique personality and qualities!), transform into a brilliant, spectacular display for all of the world to see.
Perhaps you are at the beginning of this motherhood season. If so, enjoy that excitement! It IS a precious gift to get to nurture and pour into little lives. There is much joy and bliss that can be found watching our little leaves unfold and being a part of their life journey.
For those mothers in the summer growing season (myself included)- what we are doing matters. All of the wisdom, love, patience, time, and effort we instill, our little leaves are soaking up. No, we may not see the results for days, months, or even years. Sometimes we may be wearing of giving - of being the unnoticed tree trunk. Sometimes we may even be discouraged by the results. Sometimes we may feel like we don't have the best resources to give. But soon, we will begin to see some glimpses of the love and the effort we have poured into their lives. Mixed with their unique temperament, talents, and abilities, it will be a one of a kind work of art for the world to see.
Leaves change at different rates. As mothers we can never know exactly when we will get to fully experience the fall color and beauty of our own little leaves. Sometimes we may get glimpses along the way, but rest assured, that autumn transformation will one day come. For those of you enjoying watching your precious leaves at peak beauty and maturity - enjoy! You have every right to express gratitude and delight over a job well done and effort well spent. You serve as a great example and mentor to those of us along the journey. Thank you for cheering us on.
Leaves ultimately transform on their own - without the trunk's input. Those mothers who have poured all of their best effort into their little leaves and yet who are still waiting for the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges to appear - understand the fact that leaves ultimately must transform on their own. There is nothing that the trunk of a tree can do to ensure that its leaves will create a beautiful masterpiece. That is entirely dependent on the leaf. But as encouragement for those who are weary of waiting, often the most brilliant colors arrive late in the season.
I'm so grateful for an artistic Creator who designed leaves to be so stunning and to illustrate so well the journey of motherhood. May you enjoy every boot clad and bonfire-filled moment of this beautiful autumn. And may the changing leaves this season encourage you in your season of motherhood.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”
– Emily Brontë