Hi all, here we are with Week 46! Andy shares how creation helps us to see God, especially at this time of year with the falling leaves and the change of season. Read his poem below, "Let the leaves fall", to be further inspired on how letting go makes way for new things.
In Andy's words...
What a teacher autumn is!
A walk in nature during the autumn can show us so much.
An ever-changing palette of beautiful rich colours.
The letting go of the leaves.
Do the branches release the leaves or do the leaves make their own decisions to dance with the willing wind?
The lush leafy carpet getting wet, decomposing and beginning to nourish new life.
In the last few years I have got better at noticing, and in particular noticing God (or whatever name you give to the divine mystery of which we are able to catch glimpses as we journey through life).
Nature is one of the main areas - the creator’s imprint visible in the natural world. I like to take slow walks along a countryside track close to my home, where gradually the thinking and over-thinking of the things of life trickles away and other feelings and thoughts emerge, ones which feel like they are revealing something of a bigger perspective, of God, of hope.
A few years ago I chose a particular horse chestnut tree along the countryside track and decided to take photos of it in all seasons, so I could see how it changed. How did I know where to stand to take the photo? I used the “what3words” app, the app which gives a unique combination of 3 words for each 3 metre square in the world, so that people can meet easily and deliveries can be made more accurately. So, I stand in a space called, vast.sticky.loaf - which sounds pretty amazing! – and take photographs of the tree at different times of year. I have used what3words at other times too, and sometimes the combination of the words and how they relate to the place they refer to also gives insight or sparks creativity. So maybe there are no boundaries, natural or human-made, to noticing God, to being inspired to create, to love, to hope. Maybe, its just a tuning in, within.
And the centre-piece of creation, people! I have met so many people from all backgrounds who clearly know love. Who see need and respond. These are both people of professed faith (all faiths) and people with no professed faith, but all have been inspired by love, mercy and kindness. It has expanded my understanding of the size and reach of God (or, again … by whatever name you know the divine mystery).
As leaves let go in autumn, it is a reminder for us to let go. To be bold, having hope and trusting that though there will be times of winter and bareness ahead, that spring will come. New life will come.
Let the leaves fall
Let the leaves fall
You’ve been holding on for so long
I know it feels hard
Your branches will be laid bare
Bitter winter wind will bite you
You will have nothing
But hope
Believe that spring will come
As it has before
So, let the leaves fall
Let the leaves fall
Andy Moore © 2024, all rights reserved.
Earlier in 2024 Andy left the company he had been working at for 34 years and is now enjoying what’s now and exploring what’s next, meeting lots of great new people who are passionate about creative ways of helping the people of Derby to flourish. Andy is married with two children and is currently studying a Graduate Diploma with the Church Mission Society.
Thank you all so much for reading this story about God connecting with his people. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Please do subscribe to receive these stories each week and share with others too!
Click here to see the ways you can support Hope Hour.
You can also follow Hope Hour on Instagram.
Until next time,
Great stuff! We need a conversation Andy!
Very inspiring and helpful thoughts from Andy. Thank you!