by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Sunday morning dawned with a chill in the air and frost on the pumpkins. My heart was warmed, though, as I threw on a jacket and headed out to church. Ten Thousand Reasons to Bless the Lord was blaring on the radio as I crested Chestnut Hill. I tapped the steering wheel to the beat, belting out the lyrics, enjoying my own praise and worship time and then … ? 

And then my jaw dropped.

A birch tree stood on the side of the road, it’s leaves golden with autumn’s touch. Suspended in the air were dozens of birch leaves that had fallen from the tree, but were stationary midway to the ground. Just. Drifting. In. Place. The sunlight reflected off the droplets of thawing frost that fringed the leaves like honey dripping from the honeycomb. It was amazing. I don’t know how the leaves were suspended, except that they must have been caught up in a current of air that forbid them to fall.

I don’t know. I just know I was dumbfounded by the beautiful sight.

And I’ve thought about it a lot since.

Strangely, when I revisit the image of the golden leaves suspended in the chilly morning air, the verse that comes to mind is Psalm 19:10, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

This verse is referring to the instructions of the Lord. 

Here is verse ten in context:

7 “The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.”
~ Psalm 19:7-10
God’s commands are radiant, giving light to the eyes. His Word is precious, and sweet like honey refreshing our weary spirits. 
And like the glistening leaves dangling in midair vying for my attention, God is ever before us, if we will open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. He is not elusive. He is not dull and ordinary. The Lord is extraordinary and able to do far and above anything we could ever imagine.
And quite often, when we least expect it, but desperately need it, the Lord makes Himself clear and allows us a glimpse of golden leaves suspended in autumn’s chilly morning air that reminds us He is near, His Word is true, and nothing is too difficult for Him.
A Tweetable to Encourage Others
How do I know God is near? @NanJonesAuthor offers insight. (click to tweet)

~#~