I have finished writing book three of the Solstice Chronicles, my first series and my first fairy tale series, that centers around the equinoxes and solstices of the year. For those who haven’t read them, they take place in four realms that are each represented by a different season. My first book crossed over between the winter and spring realms with its characters, and my third book does much of the same, although this one, we get to see a glimpse of both the fall and summer realms and not just characters from those realms. I’ve shared a little bit about the summer realm and some of the significance of fire and rebirth, which are both prevalent themes in this third book, but since the fall realm plays a part in it too, I get to share about some of the themes that go along with fall as well as the leaves change and the air gets cooler and cooler as the days go by.
Fall is often referred to as a season of change. The temperature changes, sometimes drastically in some places, some, not so much. People often begin to pack away their summer clothes and start pulling out their warmer sweaters and shoes. Farmers harvest their crops. Seeds are planted so they can soak up the moisture from the winter snow and be ready to burst forth once the ground starts warming up in the spring. We start moving our lives more indoors than out–although bonfires and corn mazes and pumpkin patches still bring enjoyment in the changing weather. One of the biggest changes that is a definite sign of fall is the changing of the leaves. I thought about this as I finished writing my intertwined summer/fall story, pulling from the concept of rebirth with the summer realm, of how beautiful the leaves are right before they shrivel up and let go of the branches that they have been holding onto all year. It is a final, brilliant burst of glory before their colors fade and they flit to the ground.
I saw a quote somewhere once that said autumn leaves show us how beautiful it is to let go. One of the main characters in my third book reaches a point where he must decide whether to keep a gift he didn’t know he had or sacrifice it to help save the princess of the summer realm. I won’t spoil anything by sharing what he decides, but, I know we all face hard decisions at different times in our lives. Sometimes those decisions both have good intentions or outcomes which can make the decision even harder. Aiden, the prince from the fall realm, discovers he has a special gift that he can use to bring the harvest back to his realm and restore it to its former glory. Amber, the princess of the summer realm, also discovers she has a great power within her that can bring rebirth to her realm, but she is afraid to use and control such a powerful gift. Both royals are faced with decisions about their gifts. Aiden must decide if he should keep or sacrifice his gift. Amber must decide whether to use her gift or keep it hidden.
I admittedly often feel like Amber. My mom always tells me that I have been given a beautiful gift with my voice and I need to use it more and share that gift with others. It’s not that I don’t like to sing. I love to sing. But, I tend to pull away from using it outside of performing in a rehearsed setting on stage or by myself in my car. Much like Amber, I’ve had to learn how to let myself be ok with being seen by others and learn to let others see the gifts God has given to me.
On the flip side, Aiden’s decision to keep or sacrifice his gift can be a good reminder that sometimes we have to let things go in order to have God’s divine plan show through us. Sometimes we are faced with decisions in life that involve great sacrifice of ourselves, our time, our talents, our desires. Just as the branches have to let go of their leaves in the fall in order to make room for new life and new buds in the spring, sometimes we also have to let go of something in order for better things to spring forth in our lives. It’s so easy to hold onto things, especially when it’s something we really want or desire. We hold onto our fears, our failures, our plans, and more often than not when we tell Jesus we’re putting it at his feet and letting go, we are usually right back at his feet picking it up again. Sometimes we have to let go of things or lay things down at his feet as our way of showing our complete surrender to God. Sometimes he rewards us by giving it back to us, and sometimes, we have to let go of that thing for good. The point in laying it down is trusting it to God and not expecting to get it back. Just simply trusting Him to do His will with that part of your life. Just as the leaves burst forth in glorious color just before they release themselves from their branches, the beauty of true surrender is glorious and breathtaking.
I don’t know where you are at in life. Perhaps you are in the spring or summer of life where things are flourishing and beautiful. Or maybe you are in the cold and dark of winter with no sign of new life anywhere. Regardless of what season of life you are living in right now, if you are holding onto something, maybe it’s time to let go and give it into the hands of the almighty Creator. Beauty follows surrender and new growth cannot come without change. And, if you have a special gift that God has given you–I know you do. God has created everyone with a special gift that He instilled in each of His children that reflects His beauty and love to the world–don’t be afraid to let it show. Nature is not afraid to reveal its beauty to the world and often shows off beyond our imaginings. Don’t keep your gifts hidden. Let your beauty show and let the world see the beautiful masterpiece God created you to be.
As you enter this fall season, I pray you find the beauty in change and surrender and let your beauty burst forth like the brilliant colors of the changing of the leaves.
Ashley Beach-Author and Storyteller 