Maddy’s Monthly Musings – October 2022

Written by Madeline Kalu

Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Don’t you just love Fall? The changing of the leaves to hues of russet, gold, and dark red, the first chill in the air, and the emergence of pumpkins everywhere – in home decor and heartwarming autumnal fare (l love me some pumpkin cupcakes!). And who can let Fall pass by without enjoying a pumpkin-spiced latte?

For those of you who may not know, my husband and l have recently moved interstate to the south of Germany. It has been a real answer to prayer – more so, as we have been blessed to witness the first signs of Fall in this new and unexplored part of the country.

I’ve always been a person who walks the road with the intent of reaching one goal after another. It is difficult for me to enjoy the journey, let alone just stand still and enjoy the current moment. 

After finally achieving the goal of moving, the next tasks of settling in and making a home have been on my mind. However, instead of putting on my blinkers with the intention of ticking off my to-do lists, God has been drawing me out into the beautiful autumnal landscape of the village we are now blessed to call home.

He takes me on walks in the countryside, where l marvel at seas of ripe yellow cornfields swaying and bending in the breeze.  Surrounding mountains stand to attention with castle ruins sitting on their hilltops like medieval-themed cake toppers. I watch horses frolicking and kicking their heels, hear chickens in people’s yards clucking and scratching, and l pet the village cats who approach me happy and content after a successful mice hunt in the nearby paddocks. I walk under avenues of trees and look up to see their golden foliage* playing peek-a-boo with dazzling rays of sunlight that pleasantly kiss my face with warmth and the manifestation of the Creator’s love.

And in this gentle, loving way, God is teaching me to stand still and take in the moment. Take in the moment that my husband and l are finally in the place we have been praying to be in. Take in the moment that it is now time to beat the sword that we have been wielding into a plowshare (Isaiah 2:4). Take in the moment and realize that God is in everything around us, from the smallest of the wild daisies that l picked yesterday, to the largest mountain overlooking our village. 

Take in the moment to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

If you tend to be like me and are fixed on getting to your destination instead of enjoying the journey, try parking for a short while on the side of your metaphorical road. Get out, stretch your legs and then take in the moment. For God has promised us that He has come so that we may enjoy life in abundance until it overflows (John 10:10). However, we can only do that if we stop constantly striving, and instead, start to enjoy the season we are currently in, including the friends, family, and loved ones we have around us.

And who knows, maybe we might even make ourselves available to receive a deeper revelation of God that will equip us for the continuation of our journey.

Until next month, stay blessed!

Madeline

*I took this photo last week on one of my walks.