Autumn, with the changing of colors and the changing of weather, with the harvest of crops and the decorations of pumpkins and cornstalks, autumn is a wonderful time of the year.  For some reason autumn causes my thoughts to always return to my boyhood years.  As I drive down the road and see the colorful trees I am transported back to the school play ground where I enjoyed games of football, tag and kickball.  I am reminded of my grandmother's house where we gathered for a full weekend of Thanksgiving with family and friends.

I  remember creating and hosting haunted house in the educational  wing of our church building, raising funds for local missions as children and youth scurried through the halls.  I remember times with my mother, brother and four sisters, and I long for time to be with them again.  To return to simpler days, when I just enjoyed life and didn't face so many varying levels of responsibility and pressure.  Oh, to be young again...

And as I thought about my youth, I was reminded of all of the adults in my life who have mentored me, teaching me to be responsible and showing me how to cope with life.  Following my recent time in Biloxi, I received a comment from a volunteer abouut my leadership on the work site, and that comment prompted me to send an e-mail to the person that taught me about managing volunteers and most of my construction skills.  It seems so long ago that that man was a part of my boyhood years, but yet I recognize his influence upon my life today, even thirty years later.

Such thinking caused me to recall Paul's words to Timothy: "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5)  Paul was reminding Timothy of his faith heritage, and I was reminded of my leadership heritage and well as my own faith heritage, for my relatives and mentors taught me both at the same time.

During the month of November, may you take time to recall people of your past who have influenced you in positive and meaningful ways, and thank the Lord for their presence in your life.  Recall your mentors of the faith, thanking the Lord for their role in your spiritual development.  And if these people are still alive, send a word of thanks and blessing their way.  With thankful hearts may we praise God for His wondrous bounty, and for the people who have shaped and molded us to be the people of faith we have become and are becoming.  May you have a blessed month of Thanksgiving!

Learn more about St. John's Christian Church online: www.stjohnsarchbold.org