Nicole’s e-Pistle

September 10, 2025

Greetings, Friends!

I have been enjoying the glimpse of fall weather over the past few days, as well as the little treats that come with autumn. Pumpkin spice flavored beverages and pastries have reemerged, and I have discovered a new set of shampoo and conditioner bars that have scents of sandalwood and pachouli. I have been enjoying the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg in my cup and the cool crisp morning air in my lungs.

It is in these quiet morning hours that we can most easily connect to God – before the day’s distractions get in the way, although I am not known for being a morning person. I do not wake up with hymns of praise on my lips and birdsong in my ears. I am more likely to be found nearly falling asleep in my daughter’s bed as I try to wake her up for school. Yet, as we shift toward fall, I am finding new energy.

I have mentioned often how much I love the change of seasons here in Northwest Georgia. It reminds me, not just of the passing of time and the cycles with which we live, but of how God’s mercies are new every morning. It is a reminder that even in the familiar, God is doing a new thing. We do not live in a stagnant world, and God is active even now. Just as we fill our bodies with our morning coffee and breakfast, God continues to fill our souls to overflowing.

As you look forward to pumpkin patches and fall festivals, take some time to notice the ways in which God is working in the world and in your own life. If you are living in a season of struggle or grief, look for the ways that God speaks comfort to your heart. If you are experiencing a season of joy, drink it in with gratitude for all God has done. Above all, soak up God’s new mercies with each new sunrise.

Blessings and peace,