SOURCE OF SUSTENANCE
 

Nature teaches us profound lessons about life, death, and renewal. When leaves fall, they’re not discarded waste but nature’s way of enriching the soil. Left on garden beds or lawns, these leaves are consumed by fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, breaking down to release vital nutrients that nourish the soil and plants. 

They serve as insulation during the harshness of winter and form the foundation for vibrant growth in spring. Slugs, worms, and microbes—often overlooked—play essential roles in this process, recycling what’s dead into fertile, nutrient-rich humus. This quiet transformation reminds us to see value in what seems lifeless and to let time and patience work their magic.

This cycle mirrors a spiritual truth. Just as dead leaves nurture future growth, the burdens and trials of our past, when surrendered, can become the very fertilizer for our spiritual flourishing. The instinct might be to clear away the mess, to move on quickly, but sometimes the wisest action is to let things be. In waiting, we discover how God works in hidden ways, breaking down what feels dead or useless into the richness of new life. His hand weaves purpose into every moment, even those that seem unredeemable.

This idea finds its ultimate fulfillment in our relationship with God. Much like the vine and branches, our growth depends on staying connected to Him. In our weakness, we often strive to draw from His strength but struggle to trust fully in His provision. Yet, as we remain in Him, we realize He is not just the vine but the soil, the sunshine, the rain—everything we need. His life flows into ours, not through striving but through faith, transforming our spiritual barrenness into abundance.

Just as leaves return to the earth to give life again, our surrender—our "letting go"—allows God to work through us. We find that He is more than we ever dreamed: not just our source of sustenance but the fullness of every good thing we need. Let us trust in His timing and His ways, rejoicing in the truth that nothing is wasted in His kingdom. From the soil of our brokenness, He brings forth beauty and growth, preparing us for the new seasons to come.

Let the fallen leaves we see all around remind us that nothing is wasted and that growth, in its time, will come.

Rachael Jones