For Many Montanans, Fall Is A Time Of Preparation
Author: Rob Lawler, DPHHS Office of Faith and Community Based Services
For Many Montanans, Fall is a Time of Preparation
Rob Lawler
DPHHS Office of Faith and Community-Based Services
As the first hints of chill settle over the plains and mountains, Fall in Montana arrives not with fanfare, but with a quiet, sacred turning. The aspen leaves catch fire in gold, the skies deepen to a richer blue, and the fields lie still after harvest. In this season, we are reminded that change—though sometimes bittersweet—is both natural and necessary. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Fall invites us to pause and reflect on what must be focused on and how we will handle harsh environment and darker days. Some struggle with higher instances of mental health challenges, particularly with Seasonal Affective Disorder due to decreased sunlight.
For many Montanans, Fall is a time of preparation. Rural communities gather in firewood, winterize our boats and RV's, and tighten the bonds of neighborly care before the snow flies. In this, we see a reflection of faith at work—hope made tangible in the rhythm of daily life. Churches and community centers open their doors wider, knowing that as the days grow shorter, the need for connection and compassion grows deeper. In this season of transition, may we be attentive to the quiet needs around us, and may our faith lead us to offer warmth, welcome, and wisdom to those walking alongside us.
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