Free Flying Leaves, Free Flying People

I love to watch the autumn leaves—and not just for their colors. I love to watch them fly as well.

The leaves of fall are free flying. They’re not bound by a must-follow route or a set of rules. No one tells them to drop at a perfect 90 degree angle—or any other angle for that matter. Each one is different. Each one takes its cue from the wind at the moment it falls.

Some fall headlong, landing right below their former homes. Others venture a few feet away as they drift gently through the air before finding a new resting place. Still others fly like crazy on the wings of a major wind gust, soaring as never before, looking like frolicking birds—up and down and all around, going great distances before running out of breath. Yes, autumn leaves are free flying.

Kind of makes me want to do some free flying myself. Anyone else?

The good news is we can. As believers in Jesus, as children of God, we can free fly on the wings of his Spirit living within us. We can abandon ourselves to his leadership, whether on short straight paths, lilting walks, or adventures of a lifetime. Following the Spirit, we’ll soar as never before.

We can also free fly on the wings of encouragement. Sometimes all we need to be spurred on to try something new or go after a dream is the confidence inspired by a friend or family member who is cheering us on. Sometimes all it takes is a little push. We then find ourselves free flying and loving every minute of it.

Other times it takes a little more. It takes a major gust of courage to launch our flight. The ride holds out hope of great and mighty things—but only if we’re willing to take the risk, only if we’re brave enough to step out of our comfort zones or battle whatever problems are trying to hinder our flight.

As the leaves free fly around us this autumn season, let’s ask ourselves if we’re ready to do a little free flying ourselves. Let’s abandon ourselves to the wings of the Spirit, let’s fly on words of encouragement. Let’s be bold and allow courage to carry us to new heights. Let’s free fly!

“. . . where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17b

*How have you been free flying lately?

*Flickr photo by hipea

**Also, the Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is still underway. Details are in my Oct. 17 post and sign-up is to the right. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Comments

  1. Beautiful post, Cheryl! Your words are always an inspiration.

  2. Ashley, thank you so much — what a blessing to hear! So glad you enjoyed the post!

  3. I agree your words are always such an inspiration!! I know I have told you this before but I always look forward to visiting your blog.

  4. Alicia, thank you so much. You are such an encouragement to me!

  5. Thanks for visiting my blog! I enjoyed your post…lots to think about…and those leaves are beautiful!

  6. Beautiful photo, Cheryl. I was all excited to think you might have taken it, but realized your thing is birds.

    Thinking about the “free flying” – I’m trying a few new things with my business for the upcoming selling season. Is this “free flying”?

  7. Alica, so glad you enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thanks for coming over — hope you’ll come again! :)

    Jana, I’d say your new business-related ventures definitely count as free flying. I’m preparing to do some free flying business-wise, too. For the first time ever, I’ll be pitching my still-in-progress book to agents and editors at a writers conference next month. Time to take the leap! :)

  8. I’m free-flying this week by being in the mountains, trying not to work more than two hours a day. :-)

  9. Vonda, now that’s my kind of free flying! Sounds glorious. Have a wonderful and refreshing time!

  10. I especially love the section of your post on encouragement. We can never go wrong with an encouraging word. We all want it and we all need it!

  11. Kerry, I agree — encouragement is so important and so needed. Thanks for re-emphasizing that with your comment!

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