Photosynthesis and Rest

Dear Daughters,

It’s a beautiful time of year to arrive back in the colorful state of Michigan.  After being here for almost a month, my eyes never tire of the brilliant yellow, radiant red and every foliage shade in between.   Some days the skies are blue, sometimes gray, yet the leaves brighten up even a dreary rainy day of clouds.

Moving is hard work, I don’t care what anyone says.  Packing up, making decisions, saying good-bye and driving cross country is a challenge.  Some days tempers flare, misunderstandings erupt, and differences of opinion on which stuff is important and which is not.  A few days ago someone told me the cardinal rule for her and her husband is to let go of anything said 30 days before and 30 days after a move – which sounds quite sensible at this point.

So now we’re here and still many decisions need to be made, accounts need to be opened, learning where the stores are – still plenty to think about – yet the deadline is over, the boxes wait patiently to be opened and emptied.  There is now rest of sorts.  Not total and complete rest, but rest in a renewal sort of way.  There is family to reconnect with, new friends to make, relationships to deepen, which is in some ways the same, yet different from our Idaho way of life.

A few days ago, I was reading about the miracle of photosynthesis.  I confess I don’t remember much from my science classes decades ago, but I do remember the word, and having something to do with leaves changing color in autumn. 

Apparently, during the winter there isn’t enough water and light for producing food, so the trees take a rest.  As they do, the green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves revealing bits of yellow and orange that have been there all along.  We just can’t see those colors in the summer because they are covered up by the green.

I find it fascinating how bright and beautiful colors come only when efficiency shuts down. 

Shutting down. 

Resting.

Many people in our society view productivity as the only way to show our worth, prove we are capable of earning our way.  Demonstrate that we are worth the air we breathe, verify the validity of our existence here on the planet. 

Jesus always took time to rest. In fact, thousands of years ago God commanded that we rest one day a week.  How gracious. He knows our humanity is not able to keep on going and going and still be able to create, restore and renew. 

Some of my most healing times have come when I rest.  Simply laying on the couch, chatting with a friend, reading a book, journaling.  It is only then, when I slow down, ask God for wisdom and listen to His voice, that I can be revived.  It is true that much of my resting time comes uninvited, some days I have no choice, yet my most renewing times have come when my activity comes to a halt.

Unless we take time to sit in silence, ponder the big picture and seek God’s wisdom, we will continue to be busy busy busy, yet feel more ragged, drained and critical.

Remember to rest, let your productivity lessen, and allow the beautiful fall colors to be seen in you.

Love, Mom