Saying Goodbye to October
On this final day of the month, I feel somewhat sad to be saying “good-bye” to October 2022. For those in our area, you have probably relished the record setting days when temperatures soared above 70 degrees. I surely have!
This October 31st, I know many of you are busy preparing your own youngsters to enjoy a special day in which they will consume way too much sugar. Others of you may be trying to keep your hands out of big bowls of sweet goodies ready to give little ones dressed up as ghosts, goblins, action heroes, or princesses. ” Even as I write these words, I can hear the doorbell ringing and little voices chiming excitedly “trick or treat,” followed up with a well-rehearsed “thank you.”
No other month of the year seems to illustrate change like October. Change is difficult. Saying goodbye to a month is quite different than saying goodbye to a loved one, a hope, dream, good health, or assumption of how the future would look.
During the past few years as I have studied spiritual formation, one main conclusion I’ve reached is that change—even or perhaps especially difficult change—is essential for spiritual growth. Trees in October must shed beautifully colored leaves so that winter can do the bleak but necessary work deep within the tree’s trunk in preparation of the next budding season of spring.
Likewise, so must matters of the soul such as resentment, addictions, pride, comparison, control, anger—oh, my, the list goes on and on—fall off. Interior soul work often feels brutal but is essential for transformation that will in time produce lovely spiritual fruit.
Blessings as we consider these thoughts this final day of a marvelous month,
