Imagine a peaceful green expanse with the breeze lifting up the tree boughs.  The ground critters scurry as they prepare for winter.  Briskly I wander along the water's shore.  In the pure air I deeply drink in the call of the spirit of our Creator.  Like the animals living in this place, I search for the resources I need for the winter.

Leo Lionni wrote a parable of a mouse family preparing for winter.  In the story each mouse has a role to play and three of the mice complain about the one who sits and appears to do nothing.  When winter comes and the resources the three mouse gathered have been consumed, the mouse who appeared to do nothing then shared his resources.  He created the warmth of the sun and colors of the fields through his use of words.  He provided the food for the spirit by drawing on the resources of the Creator.

Many times I am like the mouse who appears to do nothing.  While others are busy with tasks to take care of their home, I'm seeking different resources.  The observer wonders what I am doing and how I am helping.  What I find myself doing to prepare for winter is drinking in deeply God's Spirit so that I can nurture others when the time is needed. 

How do you prepare for winter?  Does your role include gathering the food stores?  Do you prepare the physical environment of your home?  Do you seek out the last of the summer's warmth?  Do you change the routine of your day to adjust to the hours of daylight?  Consider how we change during the fall season just like the animals in the forest.

Additional thoughts can now be found on my new blog site, Kelly J Eveleth's Weblog.  Visit this additional page where my intent is to share resources to strengthen the spirit.