I woke up to the sound of gusty wind constantly rubbing shoulders with the tree branches outside my bedroom windows and knew that this Saturday morning was destined to be nostalgic. Not quite fully awake, I surveyed the dancing branches through sleepy eyes. The wind roared, pushed and shook the branches with unseen hands. Leaves flew down with no goodbyes. Just rushing down and twirling around in the air.

We know God speaks through nature, and his voice was rather loud and thick that morning. And I felt his presence as if I were wrapped by a warm blanket of heaven.

Our Midwest fall has been a display of colorful leaves. Red. Orange. Yellow. Even in November, some leaves are still stubbornly green as if holding onto summer’s romance. It is all good. The leaves coordinate among themselves. They subtly and joyfully display the harmony of creation.

How can I not think of God when driving or walking on the streets in the fall? The mornings, the afternoons and the evenings—overwhelmed by the beauty of the season, I hear nature eagerly telling the story of God, the Creator and the Sustainer of the season.

Yes, telling God’s story! I love the fact that God speaks, and that he tells us his heart desires, his thoughts and his works on the pages of Scripture, black and white. I think He does the same today through his careful and thoughtful creation. He tells me that he is the Lord when my whole being is nourished by multi-colored tree leaves. He tells me that he is the Lord when I think of that windy Saturday morning.

So, what do I do? How can I show and tell my devotion and love for God?

I wrote this poem as I watched a fall sunset the other day as my response to God.

Jesus in the Sunset

Jesus, are you the red and orange sunset?
Your love made me cry.

How I am a traveler,
On the road,
I meet people,
I am passing by.

Would you stay with me for a moment or two?
You are my true delight!
I long to be with you,
I am desperate for your gentle presence,
Sit with me for a while, dear Lord,
In the lounge of my soul,
In this undying sunset vibe.

Lingering in my deep thoughts,
You are my resting lullaby.
I love you, Jesus!
Would you make this moment an eternal one?
With joy and satisfaction,
You alone are my Savior, Divine.

May I honor you like this fall-season sunset?
Quietly serving behind colorful leaves-
Like in the symphony of Nature,
singing your praises in silence,
Before darker brushes come to paint the night sky.

Oh, Jesus,
I see you in this sunset.

The leaves are now almost gone. Winter smiles. She puts on her thicker jacket, excited to show up. And for me as fall gives way to winter, I shall look for signs of God as he continues to speak to me. All I see and hear demand my response to my loving God.

The heavens declare the glory of God; The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; Night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalms 19: 1-2

Amen.