God's gifts are year round
FAITH VALUES
By REV. MARTIN HORN Evangelical Lutheran Church

The leaves are changing colors later this year, but they are turning. It adds color to the world. Each different shade of color makes the effect that much more special.

Many people look at the Fall colors and can not help but marvel at its beauty. As they see the beauty, they also can not help but see God in the world around them; in the color, the variety, and the richness. There is something about nature that draws that from us.

The odd thing, though, is

that there is another richness of God's gift to us, but we do not appreciate it nearly as much. It is the people around us. They, too, come in different shades - both physically, but how much more in terms of abilities and experiences. But instead of seeing richness, we resent

the differences. The people around us add to our lives, but so often, we scorn the gift.

It is true that sin taints the gift of each other. It is also true that our own sin blinds us. But more precious than any leave, tree, or even forest, is the gift of others that care for us, others that pray for us, others that can add to the world where we are lacking. As you gaze at God's gift of the show of nature this Fall, do not forget to wonder just as deeply at God's gift the year round of the people about us; each unique, colorful, and taken together quite impressive