Leaves

The fall foliage is pretty, and the last few days of sunshine have really brought out the colors in our area. But with the change of seasons comes the inevitable falling of leaves, and that means raking, leaf-blowing, bagging. Some people enjoy yard work of that sort, but I'm more like the local newscaster who commented yesterday that he hates everything about gathering fallen leaves. Actually, I don't mind taking care of the leaves once I get started with it, but it's the getting started that's tough for me.

Maybe that's the way it is with our faith-sharing, too. It's the idea of doing it that seems intimidating. But once we're in a conversation that turns to spiritual matters, it is more natural than we thought it would be.

Another aspect of leaf collection is that it has to be done several times over the course of the season. Once is not enough. The leaves don't all fall at once, and even if they did, not everyone on the street gets around to taking care of them at the same time.

Isn't that the case with our witness, too? Sometimes we get the notion that sharing our faith ought to be easy, or a one-time experience. Really, it is an ongoing challenge and opportunity.