Captivated by Autumn Leaves

One way I experience God each day is in the beauty of the autumn leaves. Growing up in a town called Maple Shade, I have been literally surrounded by leaves my entire life. I grew up on a street that was lined with maple trees, and from a very young age I was captivated by their leaves. Autumn leaves have always been a reminder to me of God’s creative love and abounding goodness. To this day, autumn leaves bring back memories of the joy of childhood…collecting leaves on the way to school - a sign of cooler weather with the promise of Halloween and Thanksgiving, and the thrill of jumping into a huge pile at the end of an afternoon of raking. Realizing that each colorful leaf is different and beautiful in its own way serves as a concrete reminder to me that each of us is also incredibly unique and beautiful in God’s eyes. It’s a gentle challenge for me to recognize God’s love in each person I encounter.

Another lesson I seem to learn anew every year from the leaves that decorate the trees and gracefully fall to the ground is that if I am open to it, I can see Divine Providence in the so called autumns of my own life…times that bore great fruit. I can accept the invitation to reminisce about the faithfulness of God and the graces and blessings which have been bestowed upon me by a loving God who cannot be outdone in generosity.

Without fail, every autumn fills my soul with a joy and an energy that can come only from a creative God abounding in kindness.  I still find myself picking up a maple leaf that has caught my eye and admiring its vibrant colors and original design.  I think about the countless times I have done that since I was a little girl in Maple Shade and am reminded anew of the God with whom I walk this journey and who delights in my humble efforts to live the Gospel message each day, even when I am happily jumping in a big pile of leaves. :-)

Sister Marie Leahy, SSJ is an Assistant Professor of Education at Chestnut Hill College.  In her free time, she likes to read, go to the gym, and travel.