Fall in Heaven?

Fall is one of my favourite seasons, but I don't believe there will be fall in Heaven. 

Recently I heard someone say that they couldn't wait for fall time in Heaven-- of having the glories of fall here on earth, only better. 

Fall is aptly named. It is a season of change. The weather turns more harsh, the leaves die and blow away into the crisp wind. 

But is this what God intended? For there to be death, even the death of the leaves?

To me, fall is one of the most beautiful examples in nature of God turning a devastating result of sin into a beautiful display of artistry. Making beauty out our shame wasn't necessary, but it certainly reveals the heart of our loving God. And it makes me more in awe of Him for it. 

Now, I've never been to Heaven and I guess we will never know until we get there what it will really be like. But, in my imagination, I think that God will give us something even more outstanding than our beloved fall season. Maybe there will be colourful leaves that never turn brown and drop to the ground, crisp fall apples that would be, well-- out of this world! And so much more. 

He knows our hearts and the desires of it even better than we know ourselves. And more than anything, He wants us to fall more in love with Him. 

Fall is one of my favourite seasons, but I believe that there will be something better than fall in Heaven.

A golden leaf treasure from my walk this morning.

Ireland has a piece of my heart.

Ireland from Jonathan Haring on Vimeo.

Slowing down, speeding up

Sometimes I feel like life is slower here in Ireland than it was living in the US of A. 

Maybe it's because I'm not working in the hospital. 

Or maybe because my work schedule has me sleeping in and staying up late at night. 

A few weeks ago I walked a race with a few lady friends of mine. The joy certainly was in the journey, and victory was never so sweet for them at the end of the finish line.

Life here isn't always walking pace though-- some days I stumble through, trying to get everything done. I'm still not done. Things are speeding up. 

And yet, I'm getting lots of practice at dropping everything (and by "everything", I mean things that aren't very important in the long run) and slowing down to walk along side someone when they need it. To walk the race instead of run. To slow down and to communicate instead of assume. To slow down and take the backroads for the joy of it. 

Don't be overtaken by life. 

Slow down and remember the reasons for living.