One Leaf
"Pure religion and undefiled before our God and
Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
(and) to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27 ASV)
I was walking out my door yesterday when a strong gust of wind blew
something into my face. Getting over the shock I pulled it off of my
glasses. It was single red leaf that had gotten taken for a ride on that
windy September day. I held this messenger of Fall in my hand and looked at
it closely. It looked like it had lived its life well. It probably had first
popped out on a cold April morning giving the first hope of Spring to some
Winter weary soul who saw it. It must have given shelter to singing birds
and shade to tired children too. From the holes in it I would guess that it
gave more than one meal to a hungry insect during the hot Summer months. Now
it was ending its life at its most beautiful with its radiant red adding to
the glorious painting from God that covers the mountains during Autumn here.
I knew too that its work wasn’t done yet, because in death it would return
to the soil and help God to bring about new life next Spring.
My little leaf reminded me too of all the good I can do in my own short life
here. If one, red leaf can do so much for this world then how much more can
one human life do? I am going to do my best then to live my own life well. I
am going to do all I can to give hope to the weary, to comfort the tired,
and to feed those with hungry hearts. I am going to try and live so that my
last days are my most beautiful: full of the colors of love, joy, and
oneness with God.
Remember you may just be one leaf in this world’s mighty forest, but without
your love and your life the forest is less. Remember too that tomorrow is
another chance to live, to learn, to laugh, and to love in this world. Do
your best then. Share your beauty. Help others. Commit yourself to life
before death as well as to life after death. God didn’t put you here just to
hang on a tree. God put you here to live well and color this world with the
light of your soul. God put you here to help make this world a better and
more beautiful place for those who will follow.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella
Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers. joecool@wirefire.com