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The leaves of the trees...


It's that time of the year...you know the time when it's getting cool outside and you can feel winter just around the corner, when all the kids (at least in China) start to wear about five layers of clothing if they go outside; the time right after when the leaves on the trees have changed colors and you've pulled out your jacket and scarf for the mornings...that's right! It's fall!! And it's time for the rest of the leaves to fall off the trees, be raked into big piles, and...yes...be the source of chaos and laughter. So in the spirit of fall fun, a couple of weeks ago, we had our gardener rake up a big pile of leaves in the backyard for our kids to jump in...


It was so much fun! Everyone seemed to love it, and each child participated in their own way...

There were graceful tosses...


There were threatening throws... 


There were a few peaceful moments...


There was laughter and smiles galore...



And there were even some extra-bundled babies!


Don't you wish you could have been there to play with these little bundles?

Overall the kids had a blast, and we, the staff, did too! Upon numerous occasions did I find myself being attacked by a handful of leaves and then being buried under a crunchy blanket that took the whole day to get out of my hair...

Looking back on that day, I'm reminded of a verse in Revelation 22:2 that says:
And the leaves of the trees
are for the healing of the nations...

 As I read that verse I'm reminded of our Father's healing power. With just a word, He can heal these children, He can heal you and me, He can heal the nations of this broken world. As I look at these precious little ones, I firmly believe that their ability to laugh and play in the leaves is part of their Heavenly Father's plan to make them whole. I believe that He smiles when He sees their smiles and finds joy in their giggles and squeals because they're doing what He created them to do: to just be kids and enjoy the world He created for them. How easy it is to miss the "leaves" in our lives that our Creator has put for us to enjoy and find healing in. Too often I find myself in the routine of life (even here in China), missing out on the opportunities to smile and laugh when I need to the most.

 Oh that we might be healed of our broken lives consumed with busyness and that this world be healed of its brokenness as well. And how important it is for us to intercede on behalf of this world, asking for the healing of the nations. Because I believe our God can and will do it, if only we would ask.

 So may today be a day of healing for you and me. May we slow down and find the "leaves" of our lives that we were created to enjoy and find restoration in. May we intercede on behalf of the world around us, that there might be wholeness as the holiday season approaches. And may our Father complete our lives so that His power may flow through us until we see the complete healing of the nations...

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